Interview: California dual-threat throwing and scrambling up options nationwide

With one more season left on the tough southern California gridiron proving grounds, Flintridge Prep quarterback Andrew Tsangeos has a world of opportunities ahead of him. The Class of 2016 dual-threat threw for over 1,400 yards, completing 64 percent of his passes, and owned a 22-3 touchdown to interception ratio at the end of his junior campaign. Quick footwork in the pocket led to extended plays and drives for Tsangeos and company. The La Canada rising star also ran for 600 yards with another 12 scores.

Showing a deft touch on deep passes, an instinctual ability to elude pressure along with headiness for the game, the 6’2”, 205 pounder, has attracted national interest from top Division-I schools like Arizona and Missouri but the path, depending on his senior season, may lead to a top notch education at an Ivy League school. Brown, Cornell, Dartmouth, Harvard, Pennsylvania, Princeton, and Yale are all showing heavy interest.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, Andrew took time out from his offseason workouts to go over the 2014 season, preparing for his senior campaign, and recruiting.

 

Andrew, tough stuff first. Flintridge did not have the season many had hoped for finishing 5-5 in 2014. How did the season start off for the team and what obstacles got in the way from a run into the playoffs?

“We were an experienced team with a lot of starters returning. We were very confident going into the season that we would compete in CIF and league. Our starting middle linebacker broke his ankle in the first game and I think from there that turned the team down. In general we played pretty well earlier in the season, but as the season went on we died a little.”

How do the Rebels look heading into next season?

“I think we’re pretty confident. We have a good senior class and a good upcoming sophomore class. We have three offensive line starters coming back and four or five starters on defense. We hope that we can compete better than last year.”

You have a new coach. Coach Antonio Harrison stepped down after five years and Glen Beattie was hired. How has working with Coach Beattie gone so far?

“We’ve been doing some summer passing league playbook stuff. Some plays we plan to run next year. A lot of the receivers and I have been on the field together working on our relationships and routes. Coach B seems very confident with a clear idea of what he wants to do. If we can all buy into his philosophy that will yield results next season.”

The Rebels are losing their top two running backs in Elliot Witter and Derek Okuno along with your top receiver Riley Jones (35 receptions, 446 yards, 11 touchdowns) but you have Robbie Leslie returning (25 receptions, 340 yards, 2 touchdowns). What is it like for you adjusting to new targets and losing some of your top offensive weapons?

“Robbie is coming back. Later in the season Riley missed some games allowing Robbie to get some more looks. This year it will be a more well rounded attack. Payton Faulkner and Aldridge Khin are speed guys that can get open. I’m not sure who will play running back yet. There are a couple of guys still battling. It’ll be interesting to see how all of that plays out.”

What are your strengths at the quarterback position?

“I move well around the pocket and extend plays and make exciting plays happen. My ability to move takes pressure off the line. They know if they give me 3-4 seconds I can make something happen.

“I’m a downhill runner and not afraid of contact. If we need a first down or TD I’m looking to go through someone. I’ve got good downfield arm strength and I can go vertical over the top of defenses.”

Did you earn any individual honors at the end of last year?

“I was All-Area and All-League. I also set a couple of school records.”

What records did you set?

“Most passing yards in a season and most passing touchdowns in a season.”

What are your goals for the 2015 football season?

“The biggest one is make the playoffs and compete in the playoffs. That’s what will get our team known more than individual accomplishments. I want to lead the team to success. I’m less on stats and more on what it takes for the team to win.”

Do you have a stat line in mind of what would make a nice senior season for you?

“It’d be nice if I went over 2,000 yards passing, that’d be cool. I’d just like to maintain a good TD/INT ratio mimicking what I did as a junior.”

Which schools are recruiting you right now?

“I’m getting a lot of interest from Ivy League schools are through email and Twitter. There is a certain period when they are allowed to call. Once that period comes they’ll call then. The bigger schools are mailing and emailing me but are not as serious.”

What have the college coaches told you they like about your game?

“The coaches have said they like my ability to extend plays and make special things happen on the field. The exciting way that I play is what they seem to like. My grades are good too. A guy that can make plays on the field and in the classroom is what they like.”

Are you excited about the prospect of playing college ball at an Ivy League school?

“I’m very excited. It’s an opportunity that not a lot of kids get. Even though it’s not a top football school the education is great. Ideally I’d like for some more D-I schools to offer, but for now, given the size of my school I’m very excited about all of the Ivy League schools.”

What will influence your decision on where you play your college ball?

“First academics, the tradition of the school, and my relationship with the coaching staff will all influence my decision. Being comfortable with the coaches, getting a good vibe when I’m on campus, if I get injured and miss time on the field would I still be happy at the school? Being comfortable at the school is really important.”

Are you going to any college camps this summer?

“Yes, a bunch in June. Wake Forest, Northwestern, and Duke, those are the bigger schools, but later in June I’m hitting the Ivy League schools, Harvard, Yale, Princeton, and Penn.”

Did you go to any college camps after your sophomore season before heading into your junior year?

“No. I wasn’t ready mentally or physically. I wasn’t as confident. At the end of my sophomore season I started working out with a QB coach. That has gotten my confidence up. Now I know I can succeed at these camps.”

Are you planning on going to any one-day exposure camps?

“I might go to a Rivals event or to a Nike camp, stuff like that. Nothing too much really. I went to the Semper Fidelis camp and one Rivals QB camp already. Both of those camps were really good events.”

What else are you doing in the offseason to prepare for your senior year?

“I hit the weight room four to five times a week. When we can I work with the receivers and linemen and go over our plays. A couple of times we’ve taken our receivers against another team to get some practice in. I’ve been working with the guys to get on the same page and get my body ready. I also work with my QB trainer once or twice a week.”

Are there any college or pro players you learn from when watching them play the game?

“I really like Russell Wilson and Tom Brady. I like the way they have mastered the mental aspect of the game. Brady is a competitive guy like me. He pushes the Patriots in practice to be the best they can be. Wilson is calm no matter the situation. He shows no emotion, and can go to the next play no matter what just happened. He’s able to control his emotions. I think that is an under valued part of the game. He’s able to succeed in that part of the game even more so than the physical part.”

Do you play any other sports for Flintridge?

“I play basketball. I played baseball my freshman year and will play again this year.”

How did the basketball team do this year?

“We had a rough year. We lost our starting point guard from last year, who is now at Stanford (Robert Cartwright). We had no seniors on the team, mostly freshman and sophomores. I did okay. I had some good games and some off games.”

What was your stat line?

“16 points per game, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists.”

What position did you play?

“Mainly shooting guard and a little bit of point guard.”

What about on the diamond? What positions do you play?

“Pitcher and first base.”

What kind of pitcher are you, power, off-speed, painting the corners?

“I’m a power pitcher. I throw the baseball the way I run, trying to overpower them. I throw a curveball here and there.”

Who has made the biggest impact on your football career?

“I have two people, Antonio Harrison and Ramses Barden (Cal Poly) – he’s an alumni and he played with the Giants (Giants 2009-2012, Bills and Jaguars in 2014). He won a Super Bowl with the Giants (2011).

“Harrison and I are similar, both extremely competitive and passionate about sports and winning. He’s helped me find ways to channel my competitiveness and passion into a positive on the field and with my team.

“Ramses has been to the level I want to be at. He’s someone who has been there and knows the process, he’s a wide receiver. He knows what quarterbacks are like on the college and pro level. He gives me insight on how Eli Manning carries himself and prepares.”

 

Andrew has all the necessary tools to continue onto the next level – size, speed, great touch throwing the ball, an understanding of the game, and perhaps most importantly, the grades that will open doors to any school interested across the nation.

Outside of a few high school players deemed 5 or 4-star recruits there are thousands and thousands of Class of 2016 players poised for make or break senior seasons. Andrew already has the attention of all the right colleges but what happens next?

After talking to the rising star it does not take long to come to the conclusion that the Flintridge Prep star will rise to the challenge in 2015 setting his own path to the collegiate level.

 

Written by Ryan Wright

Photo credit: Flintridge Prep; No. 12 Andrew Tsangeos

Photo credit: Rivals