There is no telling where he will end up on the field, but Surrattsville (MD) quarterback Andre’ Kates (6-0, 188) is on his way to be an Antelope Valley College Marauder. He has his sights set higher upon completion. Having played quarterback, running back, wide receiver, punt returner, kick returner, and even long snapper Kates is all about being on the field when the ball is in play.
He is best friend with another big time versatile athlete from Maryland in Joe Haden. Haden of Ft. Washington Friendly is recently committed to the Florida Gators and is a big influence on Kates.
“I really want to play quarterback,” Kates said. “Joe really wants me to play quarterback and he is my best friend. I am left handed and he loves left handed quarterbacks/. A little while ago we sat down and he said I should play quarterback. He is really good at quarterback and was going through the defenses with me on film.”
He actually moved away form his chosen position because he wasn’t getting help from his receivers.
“I was playing quarterback early on but the receivers weren’t catching the ball so I asked to be moved to receiver,” he said. “I scored seven touchdowns in the first six games of the year. I was second in Maryland with 36.2 yards per catch.”
“I played only 6 games this season because of a broken ankle suffered in a loss vs. Gwynn Park. I had to sit out for the rest of the season. I even had to sit out when we played against Friendly. It was pretty emotional knowing that my last high-school game was against my best friend and I had to watch it from the sideline. I would have loved to compete against him.”
He is heading to Antelope Valley, but the interest from Division 1 schools was there. Grades are forcing him to go the Junior College route, but schools like West Virginia, Kansas State, Rutgers, Maryland, Boston College, Virginia, Ohio State, Illinois, and the University of Washington were all in contact with Kates throughout the recruiting process this year.
“I am going to Antelope Community College in Lancaster (CA),” Kates said. “They recruited me as an athlete but they will give me a shot at quarterback. They really want me to be able to play quarterback. I am better at sitting in the pocket than I have been. At my school we ran the option and passed, so I can do it all. I am looking to try and graduate early from junior college.”
“I want to go play ball with Joe (Haden),” he said. “I really want to play quarterback but because of my size I may end up at wide receiver.”
Joe Haden has a younger brother and both are work out warriors. Kates has taken a little bit of time, but really been pushing himself lately in the weight room with the brothers’ help.
“When I really started to spend day in and day out with Joe and Josh Haden I realized how important (working out) was,” Kates said. “I have recently tested at the D.C America East Combine after working out with Joe and Josh and just being around them helped me out big time. I now lift 185 pounds 22 times and ran a 4.51. My shuttle improved to a 4.37.”
“Josh and Joe push each other in the weight room and that is what pushes me.”
Kates has a list of colleges he wants to attend waiting for when he gets out of Antelope Valley. The Gators are tops. And his list in order is Florida, Boston College, Maryland, San Diego State, Syracuse, Virginia, and Ohio State.
Andre’ Kates is one super athlete that is destined to get better that we will be looking out for in the Class of 2009.