McCallan Castles Bio
McCallan Verona Castles 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 243 pounds, he is known for his receiving skill and red-zone presence. He went undrafted in 2024 and has since played for several NFL franchises, building his career through practice-squad opportunities and short stints on active rosters.
Castles played college football for the California Golden Bears, the UC Davis Aggies, and the Tennessee Volunteers, earning multiple All-Big Sky Conference honors at UC Davis. His path from small-town high school football in California and Colorado to a Power Five conference program reflects a steady rise built on production and perseverance. He joined the Packers’ practice squad in late 2025 and continues to pursue a long-term role in the league.
Early Life and Background
McCallan Verona Castles was born on December 3, 1999, in South Lake Tahoe, California. He grew up initially in Berthoud, Colorado, where he attended Berthoud High School during the early part of his high school career. His family later moved to South Lake Tahoe, California, and he transferred to South Tahoe High School to complete his secondary education.
At South Tahoe High School, Castles emerged as a productive receiver, catching 102 passes for 2,027 yards and 27 touchdowns across his two seasons there. Those numbers highlighted his ability to stretch the field and score in the passing game, helping him attract attention from college programs. His development at the high school level set the stage for his eventual commitment to the University of California.
Path to Professional Football
Castles began his college career with the California Golden Bears, where he played in three games as a true freshman while redshirting. His most notable early college moment came in the 2018 Cheez-It Bowl, when he caught a 15-yard pass in Cal’s 10-7 win over TCU. He left the program two games into his sophomore season and entered the NCAA transfer portal in search of a better fit.
He transferred to UC Davis, where he became a focal point of the Aggies’ passing attack. During the COVID-shortened spring 2021 season, he was named First-team All-Big Sky after posting 12 receptions for 194 yards and three touchdowns. He followed that with two consecutive Second-team All-Big Sky selections in 2021 and 2022, capping his time at UC Davis with a redshirt senior season of 30 catches for 347 yards and two touchdowns before transferring again.
Castles used the extra year of eligibility granted to athletes who competed in the 2020 season, committing to Tennessee for the 2023 campaign. Playing all 13 games for the Volunteers, he recorded 22 receptions for 283 yards and five receiving touchdowns. His production in a Power Five conference confirmed his NFL potential heading into the 2024 draft cycle.
McCallan Castles Career
Early Career (2024)
After going undrafted in the 2024 NFL Draft, McCallan Castles signed with the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent on May 3, 2024. He was also selected by the Memphis Showboats in the ninth round of the 2024 UFL draft on July 17, signaling the level of interest he drew from professional organizations. His time in Philadelphia was brief, however, as he was waived with an injury designation on August 3, 2024.
Castles was claimed off waivers and joined the Los Angeles Chargers’ practice squad on October 15, 2024. He signed a reserve/future contract with the Chargers on January 13, 2025, securing a spot with the organization into the following league year. That sequence of moves reflected his value as a depth tight end with developmental upside.
Los Angeles Rams (2025)
On August 11, 2025, Castles signed with the Los Angeles Rams, hoping to earn a roster spot in a deep tight end room. He was unable to stick on the active roster and was waived on August 24, 2025. The short stint in Los Angeles marked a quick turnaround in his pursuit of consistent playing time.
Green Bay Packers (2025–Present)
On November 4, 2025, Castles signed with the Green Bay Packers’ practice squad, joining one of the most stable organizations in the NFL. The Packers, based in Green Bay, Wisconsin, have a long tradition of developing tight ends within their offensive system. His role on the practice squad gives him an opportunity to refine his game and compete for elevation to the active roster.
Driving Style and Strengths
Castles is a pass-catching tight end whose college production was built on reliable hands and the ability to find soft spots in coverage. His size at 6 feet 4 inches and 243 pounds allows him to win in contested-catch situations and contribute as a red-zone target. He has shown versatility across multiple offensive systems, having played in the Air Raid-influenced scheme at UC Davis and a Power Five pro-style attack at Tennessee.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of his college career was his 2018 Cheez-It Bowl reception for Cal, an early taste of big-stage football. Earning First-team All-Big Sky honors in his first season at UC Davis stands as another milestone, validating his decision to transfer down a level in search of playing time. Signing with the Green Bay Packers in 2025 represents the latest step in his ongoing professional journey.
McCallan Castles Career Wins
McCallan Castles has not yet recorded a regular-season win as a credited professional player in a published statistical sense, given the brief nature of his NFL stops to date. His career wins as a measurable individual accomplishment are anchored in his college production rather than at the professional level, where he has primarily contributed on practice squads and training-camp rosters.
Other Wins & Performances
At the college level, Castles posted a 15-yard reception in California’s 10-7 victory over TCU in the 2018 Cheez-It Bowl, one of the defining early wins of his career. His 12-reception, three-touchdown effort in the COVID-shortened spring 2021 season earned him First-team All-Big Sky recognition, while his consistent production in 2021 and 2022 brought back-to-back Second-team All-Big Sky honors. Across his stops at Cal, UC Davis, and Tennessee, he established himself as a reliable target in the passing game.
McCallan Castles Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
McCallan Castles grew up in a family that moved from Berthoud, Colorado, to South Lake Tahoe, California, during his high school years. The relocation allowed him to finish his athletic development at South Tahoe High School, where he became one of the most productive receivers in the program. Limited public information is available about his parents or extended family, and no specific racing lineage is associated with his background, as his sports path has centered on football rather than motorsports.
Personal Life
Castles has kept much of his personal life private, and no public details about a spouse, partner, or children have been confirmed in verified sources. He currently lives the life of a young professional athlete moving between practice-squad opportunities, with his football commitments shaping his day-to-day schedule. His focus remains on securing a stable role at the tight end position in the NFL.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has been defined by movement for McCallan Castles, beginning with a reserve/future contract he signed with the Los Angeles Chargers on January 13, 2025. He was waived by the Chargers on August 6, 2025, after training-camp competition, then quickly signed with the Los Angeles Rams on August 11, 2025. His release from the Rams on August 24, 2025, kept him on the move as he searched for a roster home.
That search ended on November 4, 2025, when he joined the Green Bay Packers’ practice squad, giving him stability for the back half of the 2025 campaign. The Packers’ tight end room has historically emphasized blocking fundamentals alongside receiving skills, and Castles will look to sharpen both phases of his game. His combination of size, hands, and experience across multiple offensive systems makes him an intriguing developmental piece for Green Bay.
Looking ahead, Castles will aim to impress in practice and on scout-team reps, with the goal of being elevated to the active roster at some point during the 2025 season or in the offseason that follows. His path from undrafted free agent to a multi-team professional career already demonstrates resilience, and his work in Green Bay will shape the next chapter. A strong finish to 2025 could set the foundation for a more prominent role in 2026.