McCallan Castles accepts Shrine Bowl Invitation
Tennessee tight end McCallan Castles, who transferred in from UC-Davis prior to the 2023 campaign, has accepted an invitation to play in the prestigious 2024 East-West Shrine Bowl that’s set to be played on February 1.
Castles becomes the fourth Tennessee player to accept an invitation to play in an all-star event, joining quarterback Joe Milton and running back Jaylen Wright who will be in Mobile, Ala. for the Reese’s Senior Bowl in early February. Fellow tight end Jacob Warren will be playing in the Hula Bowl.
Though it was brief, the former Cal signee out of high school made the most of his Tennessee experience, ranking third on the team this past season with 22 receptions for 283 yards. Castles placed second, behind receiver Ramel Keyton, with five receiving touchdowns and capped his Tennessee journey with an 18-yard touchdown haul from freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava in the Citrus Bowl earlier this week.
#ShrineBowlBound ✅
— East-West Shrine Bowl (@ShrineBowl) January 4, 2024
TE McCallan Castles (@McCallanCastles) from @Vol_Football has officially accepted his invitation to play in the 2024 East-West @ShrineBowl!#GBO | #ShrineBowlWhosNext😎 pic.twitter.com/GnWkw2Fr6r
Castles was a massive addition out of the transfer portal for Tennessee in 2023. Coming over as a mid-year enrollee, learning the offense and playing 442 snaps this season is pretty impressive – especially with how involved the tight end position is in the Josh Heupel offense. He split the snaps virtually 50/50 with running mate Jacob Warren (441 snaps) as the two combined for 38 receptions for 474 yards and nine touchdowns.
How does that production compare to the previous two seasons with Warren and Princeton Fant? Well, those two combined for 404 yards off 34 receptions and three touchdowns in 2021, as well as 399 yards off 32 receptions for four scores in 2021. It’s worth noting that Fant rushed for five touchdowns in 2022 off six carries for 17 yards as the offense used him as a short-yardage back.
Tennessee finished the 2023 campaign with a 9-4 overall record, highlighted by the 35-0 shutout over Iowa in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl.
About the Shrine Bowl
Since 1925, the East-West Shrine Bowl has benefited Shriners Children’s and its mission while showcasing the next generation of NFL legends. An invitation to take part in the annual East-West Shrine Bowl is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the best senior collegiate football all-stars in the country to showcase their talents in front of top representatives of NFL teams. A strong performance in the game greatly impacts a player’s chances of a career in the NFL. Many of professional football’s most recognized and decorated players, including Tom Brady, Walter Payton, Lawrence Taylor, John Elway, Gale Sayers and Jimmy Garoppolo, played in the East-West Shrine Bowl.
The East-West Shrine Bowl is the longest-running college all-star football game in the nation. An important part of America’s football tradition, the event gives top college players a chance to showcase their talents to NFL scouts and a national television audience.
