Got to love 2028 Florida varsity starter Austan Cristiaan

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

Standing in a boxing ring taking hits, playing goalie on the rink, hitting an ungodly 12-6 curve ball, and successfully playing quarterback – all aspects of sports that are extremely hard to do well. There’s a reason those who accomplish great feats in sports are appreciated and admired. Down in Fort Myers (Fla.), Austan Cristiaan is doing the seemingly impossible worthy of praise; the eighth grader is the starting quarterback for Canterbury’s varsity high school squad.

Besides the poise, moxie, and physical talent needed to level up three spaces, it also takes maturity; all traits Cristiaan has in bunches. Those talents shined through in a QB battle over the offseason.

Asked, going into this season, did you know you would have this role as a starter with the Cougars? Cristiaan replied, “I did know pretty early, around spring. We did have a QB, but he was hurt. Then we had a QB battle that I won. I am grateful to have won the starting spot.”

High school defenses are far more complicated than slinging it against youth teams. Cristiaan was asked how he prepares week to week for a game.

“A lot of film,” Cristiaan said. “Hudl is your best friend. I stay on there and watch film, and I talk to my coaches. Questions are a good thing. You want to ask ahead and not during the game. You want to be on the same page with your coaches and your players.”

On leveling up, Cristiaan stated, “The game is sped up quite a bit. I am preparing as much as I can. If you don’t think about the gap, the age gap and that everyone is bigger, faster, and stronger than you, if you play up to that level and produce efficient drives you’ll do well. I don’t think about the age gap.”

The Cougars’ style of play on offense was covered.

“We have a ton of different formations,” Cristiaan said. “We run a Spread, trips, and we go under center with two wing backs, a fullback in the backfield with a receiver on the outside. We do a lot out of trips with three route combos. We also have a goal line formation; we roll out of that. We make things look like it’s not; we deceive the defense. We make it look like something it is not; we trick the defense.”

There’s no choice but to push his game forward to keep that starting spot.

“I have improved 100 percent mentally,” Cristiaan stated. “Realizing how fast you have to make your reads and process what is happening on the field is another area where I have improved. Knowing how the cornerback will break on the routes; the windows are tighter now than before, and it will not get any easier.

“I stay after practice and work on the weekends. You have to have timing with your receivers. You have to have that connection and prepare, if not, you will go out there and not look your best.”

To no surprise, recruiting interest is following Cristiaan’s progress on the field.

“Mike Norvell from Florida State is following me on social media,” Cristiaan shared. “Camping at Florida State helped with that. I have been to a lot of colleges for game-day visits, getting to talk with the coaches. Florida State is a big one. I like them. They have a great program. Colorado, Auburn, Clemson, all have great programs.”

Auburn, Tennessee, Colorado, Alabama, Rutgers, Pitt, and Penn State are among the teams that have seen Cristiaan on campus in 2023.

Cristiaan listed the game-day visits he’s taken this fall, “Clemson, Florida State, Auburn, and Texas A&M.”

The trip to South Carolina was impactful for the 2028 prospect.

“It was phenomenal,” Cristiaan shared. “What they do with their academics and balance it with football, and all the support they have on staff is great. They tell you why you should go to Clemson supported with facts.”

The Seminoles’ coaching staff has made a big early impression on Cristiaan.

“Florida State, I love Florida State,” Cristiaan stated. “One of the big things with Florida State is how they run their offense, and their coaches. I am pretty close with most of their coaches; they are the best people. They know how to run their offense, and they take care of their players. I am excited to be there again on Saturday for the Syracuse game.

“We have been there a lot. During the summer I was named a Top Performer at their camp as a 7th grader, that was pretty cool.”

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