Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN/WGR Sports Radio 550) - Buffalo Bills rookie linebacker Joe Andreessen is living the dream of every young football fan in Western New York.
Born in Depew, Andreessen played high school football for two years at Lancaster. After playing collegiately at Bryant College in Rhode Island, he transferred to the University at Buffalo for his senior season. Then in May, Andreessen signed as an undrafted free agent with the Bills.
The 24-year-old is truly living the ultimate Buffalo football fantasy.
"When I signed, coach [Neil] Herman from UB, he texted me like, 'A lot of kids grow up dreaming about playing for the Bills, but I don't know one who has,'" said Andreessen in an interview with WBEN. "That kind of stuck with me when he sent me that text message. Sometimes you don't take a second to think about it and look at the moment, but I definitely have. Sometimes you lose it in the day-to-day."
Lancaster varsity football head coach Eric Rupp coached Andreessen during his junior and senior years of high school. He earned All-State honors both of those seasons while playing linebacker, offensive line and even a little quarterback.
Rupp says it was always Andreessen's goal to play at the highest level.
"Joe's determination and his hard work is what separates him from most," said Rupp with WBEN. "I'm just really happy for him and his family to get this opportunity."
Rupp adds he just wants his former player to enjoy the moment.
"It's obviously the opportunity of a lifetime to make it to the NFL, let alone play for your hometown team," he said. "I know Joe. He's a fierce competitor. The higher the stakes the better he plays."
That's how Andreesen describes himself, as well, and his success on the field reflects that mindset.
In 2021, his fourth year at Bryant, Andreessen was a First-Team All-NEC Selection, finishing second on the team in tackles with 80. In 2022, he was even better, being named an AP Second-Team All-American, and setting the school's single-season tackle record with 116.
His performance was good enough to catch the eye of his hometown UB Bulls.
Paul Peck, voice of UB Bulls football, remembers being excited about the team recruiting a local kid, but it was what he heard from others that made him think Andreessen could be a standout player for the program.
"I remember before the season running into former Lancaster head coach and legendary Western New York coach Len Jankiewicz, and Len is like 'You're gonna love this kid.' And he just told me what a great player Joe is," Peck said in an interview with WBEN.
Jankiewicz's scouting report proved to be true. In his lone season at Buffalo, Andreessen was forced to step into a leadership role when starting linebacker Shaun Dolac went down for the season with an injury. Andreessen went on to lead the team in tackles with 90, while also starting all 12 games for the Bulls.
"I don't think Joe skipped a beat in knowing that, 'OK, I have to take care of this. I have to assume that role,'" Peck said. "The Buffalo defense was pretty good down the stretch of the Mid-American Conference season, and I think Joe was a big reason for that."
Despite his standout career at the collegiate level, the NFL Draft would come and go without Andreessen's name being called. Two teams were interested in signing him as an undrafted rookie, though, and those teams happened to be mortal enemies: The Bills and the Kansas City Chiefs.
Andreessen was invited to both team's rookie minicamps before he eventually signed with the Bills.
For Andreessen, going undrafted may have been a good thing. It's one of the factors motivating him to be a successful pro.
"There's definitely that chip on your shoulder mentality. That's kind of just been there my whole life. The ups and downs I had to deal with throughout high school, throughout college and now here," Andreesen said.
Andreessen's biggest motivation is more personal, though.
"My family. All the people that are close to me. My mom and dad, my brother have given up so much for me to be in this position," he said.
As for how he's acclimating to the team, it hasn't been a problem for the rookie. He's already participated in the Micah Hyde Charity Softball game at Sahlen Field last month.
Training camp in July will be the first chance for "Bills Mafia" to see Andreessen in his hometown team's colors. He says fans should expect to see a hard working player that strives to make big plays.
As an old coach told him, "Guys that make big plays get paid."