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Commits

Ben was offered by UR in early May.The kid is a winner,on and off the field.

Woodgrove football standout Castellano keeps mother’s memory close
  • By Jason S. Rufner, Special to the Times-Mirror
  • May 23, 2018 Updated
https://www.loudountimes.com/sports...cle_79dc4d3c-5ec3-11e8-8e3b-d3483539b243.html

Ben Castellano, shown on the left during the 2017 season, continues to draw strong interest from multiple college football programs. Ben is pictured with his family following an Upper Loudoun Youth Football League game, center, and more recently, a Woodgrove varsity football game.

Ben Castellano’s next football season will be unlike any he’s ever played before. The lifelong Loudouner and rising Woodgrove High School senior still expects to catch a lot of passes like usual, trying to help the Wolverines win a lot of games like usual.

The difference next season -- with Castellano holding 18 offers and counting -- is that he’ll be a bona fide future college football player.

On his Twitter feed, Castellano reports offers from Ivy League institutions Yale, Penn, Cornell, Brown and Dartmouth, the service academies in Annapolis and West Point, and Power 5 schools Wake Forest and Syracuse, among several others.

“This has come out of nowhere,” Castellano said. “I didn’t expect this at all.”

He projects himself at the next level as a pass-catcher and blocker on the field, and a business major in the classroom.

Castellano caught 87 passes for 1,140 yards and 15 touchdowns over the past two campaigns, earning him first-team all-region honors as a junior. Castellano's football acumen, combined with his lofty 3.7 grade-point average, have ignited a barrage of offers coming nearly weekly.

He recently visited the campus of Indiana University and is slated to visit Harvard University next. He holds offers from both school’s football programs.

The biggest difference in this upcoming football season will be that his mom won’t be up in the stands, wildly cheering him on.

Instead, she’ll be out on the field with her son, helping him catch passes.

Kim Castellano died Jan. 28 at the age of 48 after a protracted battle against breast cancer. She fought the disease for 17 years, nearly Ben’s entire life.

She was a mainstay at her son’s games, from his formative years in the Upper Loudoun Youth Football League through his attention-garnering performances for Woodgrove.

Her final wish for her son was: “Just play for me, Benny.”

“Every game, I’m going to write her name and the date she passed on my tape,” Castellano said. With her name on his taped wrist, she’ll be part of every pass he catches.

“She was always a huge influence,” he said. “You never know what you have until it’s gone, you know?”

Mike Castellano coached their son and daughter Riley throughout their youth sports careers. He now coaches wide receivers on Woodgrove’s staff, including his son.

“The community outpouring has been unbelievable,” he said. “They’ve really helped us through it all.”

Before the younger Castellano embarks on his collegiate career, he’s set goals for his final high school season.

“Two touchdowns and 100 yards a game. That’s what I’m going for,” he said, sounding like he meant it.

Castellano believes next season’s Wolverines could reach unprecedented heights.

“This is the best team we’ve had since I’ve been at Woodgrove,” he said, citing Woodgrove’s 18 returningstarters. “We could go to states, easily.”

Wherever he goes, next football season and beyond, his mom will go with him.
 
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Home
/ District 11 / Freedom linebacker Tristan Wheeler committed to Richmond @TWheels24 @fhssportsBASD
Freedom linebacker Tristan Wheeler committed to Richmond @TWheels24 @fhssportsBASD
tw2.jpg

Back on March 11 Freedom linebacker Tristan Wheeler received his first college offer, it from Army. From then on the offers kept piling on for the 6-2, 215. Schools like Albany, Colgate, Lehigh, Air Force, 16 more in all opined for the incoming seniors talents, but it was the Spiders of Richmond that stood out most. Today, Wheeler eliminate those other 16 and committed to play his college ball for them. Wheeler was an All-League selection last year and is the leader of what could be a strong point of the Freedom defense this year that allowed just 20 points a game in 2017.

We caught up with Tristan and asked him about his commitment.



WPA: why did you choose The Spiders?

Tristan: I chose the Richmond Spiders because I believe that it gave me everything that I could ask for in a school. They have great football in a great conference, a beautiful campus, brand new facilities, a great support system and group of coaches, and offer a top of the line education. Not only that but I believe they will not only help me grow as a player, but as a young man as well. Couldn’t ask for more in a school recruiting me !

WPA: who was your biggest influence at Richmond, who recruited you?

Tristan: My biggest influence at The University of Richmond was Coach Wood. He is the linebacker coach and the coach that was recruiting me along the process. He is a great man with a strong knowledge of football and the linebacker position. His support and the love he showed to my family and I, stood out above the rest.

WPA: what do your parents think of your decision?

Tristan: My parents were a big part in the decision I made. They loved the football, coaches, education, and school just as much as I did. This made the decision pretty easy. Couldn’t have done it without them.

WPA: what are they getting in player like you?

Tristan: By me committing, Richmond is getting a player that will not stop working until his goal is accomplished. They are getting a kid with a relentless work ethic and drive to be the best that he could be and the best that he can make his team. I also believe that they are getting a leader and a kid that can come in and help their team tremendously.

WPA: what position will you play?

Tristan: I will be playing the middle linebacker position. I am very familiar with this position and love playing it

WPA: why commit early?

Tristan: I committed when I did because I wanted to make sure my spot was secure and to get the weight off my shoulders and ball out this season. I believe Richmond is a great fit and didn’t see a need to prolong the recruiting process.

WPA: what was the recruiting process like for you?

Tristan: Besides the recruiting process being a long and stressful decision to make, it did feel great to finally be wanted for all the hard work that I have put in. It has been one of the hardest decisions of my life, but was a blessing to be offered all these opportunities. I am truly grateful.

WPA: Do you know what you’d like to study?

Tristan: As of now, I would like to go and study something in the sports medicine field. I would probably end up going the biology route, as I am very interested in the human body and everything that makes it up. I believe that they have great programs for this and will help me succeed with what I want to do in the future.

WPA: What do you think is the most exciting thing about Richmond University?

Tristan: I think the most exciting thing about the University of Richmond is the culture and the conference of football that they play in. It is a great conference with lots of great competition. I never stray away from competition and always like to compete against the best of the best. Richmond provides me with that

WPA: How will this affect your play for your senior season?

Tristan: I believe that this commitment will help me play a lot more freely next season. I have a great amount of weight lifted off my shoulders and can now focus on dominating my senior season and achieving our team goals !! Couldn’t be more excited
 
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Home
/ District 11 / Freedom linebacker Tristan Wheeler committed to Richmond @TWheels24 @fhssportsBASD
Freedom linebacker Tristan Wheeler committed to Richmond @TWheels24 @fhssportsBASD
tw2.jpg

Back on March 11 Freedom linebacker Tristan Wheeler received his first college offer, it from Army. From then on the offers kept piling on for the 6-2, 215. Schools like Albany, Colgate, Lehigh, Air Force, 16 more in all opined for the incoming seniors talents, but it was the Spiders of Richmond that stood out most. Today, Wheeler eliminate those other 16 and committed to play his college ball for them. Wheeler was an All-League selection last year and is the leader of what could be a strong point of the Freedom defense this year that allowed just 20 points a game in 2017.

We caught up with Tristan and asked him about his commitment.



WPA: why did you choose The Spiders?

Tristan: I chose the Richmond Spiders because I believe that it gave me everything that I could ask for in a school. They have great football in a great conference, a beautiful campus, brand new facilities, a great support system and group of coaches, and offer a top of the line education. Not only that but I believe they will not only help me grow as a player, but as a young man as well. Couldn’t ask for more in a school recruiting me !

WPA: who was your biggest influence at Richmond, who recruited you?

Tristan: My biggest influence at The University of Richmond was Coach Wood. He is the linebacker coach and the coach that was recruiting me along the process. He is a great man with a strong knowledge of football and the linebacker position. His support and the love he showed to my family and I, stood out above the rest.

WPA: what do your parents think of your decision?

Tristan: My parents were a big part in the decision I made. They loved the football, coaches, education, and school just as much as I did. This made the decision pretty easy. Couldn’t have done it without them.

WPA: what are they getting in player like you?

Tristan: By me committing, Richmond is getting a player that will not stop working until his goal is accomplished. They are getting a kid with a relentless work ethic and drive to be the best that he could be and the best that he can make his team. I also believe that they are getting a leader and a kid that can come in and help their team tremendously.

WPA: what position will you play?

Tristan: I will be playing the middle linebacker position. I am very familiar with this position and love playing it

WPA: why commit early?

Tristan: I committed when I did because I wanted to make sure my spot was secure and to get the weight off my shoulders and ball out this season. I believe Richmond is a great fit and didn’t see a need to prolong the recruiting process.

WPA: what was the recruiting process like for you?

Tristan: Besides the recruiting process being a long and stressful decision to make, it did feel great to finally be wanted for all the hard work that I have put in. It has been one of the hardest decisions of my life, but was a blessing to be offered all these opportunities. I am truly grateful.

WPA: Do you know what you’d like to study?

Tristan: As of now, I would like to go and study something in the sports medicine field. I would probably end up going the biology route, as I am very interested in the human body and everything that makes it up. I believe that they have great programs for this and will help me succeed with what I want to do in the future.

WPA: What do you think is the most exciting thing about Richmond University?

Tristan: I think the most exciting thing about the University of Richmond is the culture and the conference of football that they play in. It is a great conference with lots of great competition. I never stray away from competition and always like to compete against the best of the best. Richmond provides me with that

WPA: How will this affect your play for your senior season?

Tristan: I believe that this commitment will help me play a lot more freely next season. I have a great amount of weight lifted off my shoulders and can now focus on dominating my senior season and achieving our team goals !! Couldn’t be more excited
You have to love the fact that he corrected the interviewer when he was asked about "Richmond University." I like this kid already.
 
Gotta hand it to the staff, they have put together a great recruiting class!
Rick I have had that same feeling, that this is a special class and they have been really busting their humps to get the best players they can.
 
Do we know for sure who the latest commit was? Was it Close, and if so, at TE or OLB?

How many commits is the class at now? I know there are a few more than the six listed in Rivals.
 
Do we know for sure who the latest commit was? Was it Close, and if so, at TE or OLB?

How many commits is the class at now? I know there are a few more than the six listed in Rivals.

I feel confident saying that it is Avery Close since he added Richmond commit to his twitter bio. Not sure if he will be playing TE or OLB here. We now have 10 verbal commits
 
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