McCallan Castles Bio
McCallan Verona Castles (born December 3, 1999) is an American professional football tight end for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighing 244 pounds, he plays the tight end position and brings a rare combination of size and pass-catching ability to the field. Castles played college football for the California Golden Bears, the UC Davis Aggies, and the Tennessee Volunteers before beginning his professional career as an undrafted free agent in 2024.
Over the course of his brief professional tenure, Castles has spent time with the Philadelphia Eagles, the Los Angeles Chargers, the Los Angeles Rams, and the Green Bay Packers. Along the way, he has demonstrated resilience by working through practice squad stints, injuries, and roster moves to remain active in the league. His journey from a small mountain town to the NFL reflects steady perseverance and a willingness to adapt to new programs and schemes.
Early Life and Background
McCallan Verona Castles was born on December 3, 1999, in South Lake Tahoe, California. He initially grew up in Berthoud, Colorado, and attended Berthoud High School before relocating with his family to South Lake Tahoe after his sophomore year. The move led him to transfer to South Tahoe High School, where he quickly became one of the most productive receivers in the program.
During his two seasons at South Tahoe, Castles caught 102 passes for 2,027 yards and 27 touchdowns, establishing himself as a premier playmaker in the region. His size, hands, and scoring touch drew the attention of college recruiters, and the foundation for his future as a tight end began to take shape in this period. These prep numbers helped set the stage for his entry into major college football.
Path to American Football
Castles launched his college career with the California Golden Bears, appearing in three games as a true freshman while redshirting. His most memorable early moment came in the 2018 Cheez-It Bowl, when he caught a 15-yard pass in Cal’s 10-7 win over TCU. Two games into his sophomore season, however, Castles left the program and entered the NCAA transfer portal in search of a better fit.
He ultimately transferred to UC Davis, where his career blossomed in the Big Sky Conference. Castles was named first-team All-Big Sky in 2020 after catching 12 passes for 194 yards and three touchdowns in a spring season shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic. He followed that with second-team All-Big Sky honors in 2021 and again in 2022, finishing his UC Davis tenure as one of the conference’s most reliable tight ends. After his redshirt senior season, he used the extra year of eligibility granted to athletes affected by the pandemic and transferred to Tennessee.
With the Tennessee Volunteers in 2023, Castles played in all 13 games and recorded 22 receptions for 283 receiving yards and five receiving touchdowns. That productive final college season positioned him for a chance at the professional level, even though he went undrafted in the 2024 NFL Draft.
McCallan Castles Career
Early Career (2024)
Castles signed with the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent on May 3, 2024, beginning his professional career. In a separate move, he was also selected by the Memphis Showboats in the ninth round of the 2024 UFL draft on July 17, though his NFL path remained his primary focus. He was waived with an injury designation by the Eagles on August 3, ending his first NFL camp.
Shortly after his release, Castles signed with the Los Angeles Chargers’ practice squad on October 15, 2024. He continued to develop on the practice squad throughout the fall, and on January 13, 2025, he signed a reserve/future contract with Los Angeles, securing a spot on the team’s offseason roster.
Philadelphia Eagles Era (2024)
McCallan Castles’ first NFL chapter came with the Philadelphia Eagles, who gave him his initial opportunity as an undrafted free agent in May 2024. The brief stint in Philadelphia allowed him to gain valuable experience inside an NFL training camp and preseason environment. Although his time with the Eagles ended in early August, the experience laid the groundwork for the rest of his rookie season.
Los Angeles Chargers Era (2024–2025)
On the Los Angeles Chargers’ practice squad, Castles focused on refining his route running and blocking responsibilities as a tight end. His work paid off with a reserve/future contract in January 2025, a strong sign that the Chargers viewed him as a developmental piece worth keeping. That run with Los Angeles concluded on August 6, when he was waived as the team trimmed its roster.
Los Angeles Rams Era (2025)
Castles quickly caught on with the Los Angeles Rams, signing on August 11, 2025. The Rams provided another opportunity to compete for a roster spot during the preseason stretch, and his big frame and special teams upside gave him a chance to push for a depth role. His time in Los Angeles was short, however, as he was waived on August 24.
Green Bay Packers Era (2025–Present)
On November 4, 2025, Castles signed with the Green Bay Packers’ practice squad, joining one of the NFC’s most consistent franchises. He was placed on the practice squad’s injured reserve list on January 1, 2026, but bounced back to sign a reserve/future contract with Green Bay on January 12, securing his place in the organization heading into the offseason. On April 17, 2026, he was released by the Packers, opening the next chapter of his professional journey.
Driving Style and Strengths
At 6 feet 4 inches and 244 pounds, McCallan Castles fits the modern mold of a pass-catching tight end with the frame to handle in-line blocking duties. His production at South Tahoe and in the Big Sky Conference showcased reliable hands and a knack for finding the end zone, while his lone season at Tennessee proved he could produce against top-tier SEC competition. His career path, marked by three college stops and four NFL teams, speaks to a player who is willing to put in the work and adapt quickly to new systems.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among McCallan Castles’ signature achievements are his first-team All-Big Sky selection in 2020 and back-to-back second-team All-Big Sky honors in 2021 and 2022 with the UC Davis Aggies. His 15-yard reception in the 2018 Cheez-It Bowl remains a memorable early milestone, and his five-touchdown campaign at Tennessee in 2023 served as a strong final college statement. Reaching and sustaining an NFL career as an undrafted player is itself a notable accomplishment.
McCallan Castles Career Wins
McCallan Castles’ win totals are most clearly documented at the college level, where his teams at UC Davis and Tennessee competed for conference and bowl success. As a professional tight end who has spent the majority of his NFL tenure on practice squads, regular-season win totals are limited. He has not been publicly credited with a specific number of individual victories at the NFL level.
College Highlights
During his time with the UC Davis Aggies, McCallan Castles earned first-team All-Big Sky honors in 2020 and two second-team All-Big Sky selections in 2021 and 2022. He capped his college career with the Tennessee Volunteers in 2023, appearing in all 13 games and producing 22 receptions for 283 yards and five touchdowns.
McCallan Castles Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
McCallan Castles grew up in a supportive family that relocated from Berthoud, Colorado, to South Lake Tahoe, California, during his high school years. The move gave him a fresh start athletically and allowed him to finish his prep career on a high note at South Tahoe High School. Beyond these public details, additional information about his family background is not widely documented.
Personal Life
McCallan Castles is known publicly primarily through his football career. Details about his marital status, spouse, and children are not publicly available, and he tends to keep his personal life private. His professional social media presence focuses on his work as a tight end rather than personal matters.
2025 Season Performance
McCallan Castles’ 2025 season was defined by movement between practice squads and active rosters. He began the year on a reserve/future contract with the Los Angeles Chargers, then was waived in early August before signing with the Los Angeles Rams. After a brief stint in Los Angeles, he was waived again in late August and eventually joined the Green Bay Packers’ practice squad in November.
Although his on-field statistical production in 2025 was limited due to practice squad status, Castles remained in position to compete for a larger role. He ended the year on the practice squad injured reserve list before signing a reserve/future contract with Green Bay in January 2026. The sequence of moves underscored both his perseverance and the narrow margins that shape careers for undrafted tight ends.
Looking ahead, Castles will look to translate his 2025 development into a more stable roster spot. His combination of size, receiving experience at three college programs, and willingness to do the unglamorous practice squad work give him a foundation to build on. A successful offseason in Green Bay could turn his journeyman start into a longer-term NFL home.