Buffalo native Joe Andreessen's dreams are set to become reality in ...

Andreessen, a Depew, New York native, is not new to playing in Western New York. The rookie linebacker transferred and played his graduate season at the University at Buffalo, after five seasons at Bryant University in Rhode Island. The linebacker really made a name for himself, playing for the Lancaster High School Legends which DC Bobby Babich calls him.

"The Lancaster legend? Yeah. No, it's awesome…," Babich said. "Really cool for a guy that's in his hometown, he's going to be able to run out of that tunnel and really fulfill a dream that a lot of Western New Yorkers probably have. So I think it's really cool. I just hope Joe stays within who he is. And football's football. It doesn't matter what colors you're wearing; it doesn't matter where you're at and does all those things."

While playing at Lancaster High School, Andreessen was a stud as a two-year starter for Coach Eric Rupp. During his time in high school, he was a key force in helping his team have back-to-back sectional titles, including an appearance in the 2017 state finals.

"I think he was the type of player that, he could do anything on the field, no matter the position," Rupp said. "That senior year, he led us to a New York State Championship game. But his characteristics were, he was extremely hard working, he had a very high football IQ, and he was just relentless. No matter how big the game was, you know, Joe would always perform to the best of his abilities and rise to the occasion for us."

Andreessen did a little bit of everything while playing for the Lancaster Legends. During his senior year, he posted 118 tackles, 18 tackles for a loss, 5.5 sacks while also rushing for 525 yards and scoring 17 touchdowns on offense. He recorded 103 tackles, two interceptions and three touchdowns as a junior.

He also was a two-time all-state linebacker, two-time All-Western New York linebacker, and Defensive Player of the Game in the sectional championship back-to-back years, while also wrestling and being a wrestling captain his last three years of high school and being an honor roll student, just to name a few of his accomplishments.

"He was always pushing himself in the weight room, working very hard," Rupp said. "He was also a tremendous wrestler. He was a two-time state finisher for wrestling. And I think his character. He's just a very good person. He's always going to make the right decisions and do the right thing and that will obviously translate onto the football field as well."