Report: McCallan Castles agrees to UDFA deal with Philadelphia Eagles

Former Tennessee tight end McCallan Castles has agreed to an undrafted free agent deal with the Philadelphia Eagles, per Aaron Wilson. The deal includes a $30,000 signing bonus and a $200,000 base salary guarantee.

Castles only spent one season at Tennessee, but he made the most of it. The 6-foot-5 standout played in all 13 games for Tennessee, tallying 22 receptions for 283 yards and five touchdowns. He averaged 12.9 yards per catch.

Castles’ five receiving scores were the most by a UT tight end since Mychal Rivera logged five in 2012. Further, the five TDs were the third-most of any SEC tight end in the 2023 campaign.

Before transferring to Tennessee, Castles spent three seasons at UC Davis, where he played and started in 28 games. In three years with the Aggies, Castles amassed 68 catches for 928 yards and nine touchdowns, averaging 13.4 yards per catch.

Castles began his career at California, where he spent two seasons. He only appeared in four total games for the Golden Bears before electing to transfer. In his limited time on the field, he recorded one catch for 15 yards.

McCallan Castles played high school football at South Tahoe (CA), where he was a four-star prospect. He was the No. 344 overall recruit in the 2018 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

When Castles committed to Tennessee ahead of the 2023 campaign, he made his goals clear.

“I’m taking the risk forfeiting my last year at UC-Davis because I want to get as NFL ready as possible,” Castles said. “I want to go somewhere that I’m going to be practicing against guys that are going to get me at the maximum level I can be and can compete at.

“The SEC is definitely the closest thing you can be at to the NFL. I think with the way the Vols are trending right now it was a no brainer for me and my family. I like the way coach Heupel highlights everyone’s strengths in his offense and I’m excited to see how they use me.”

Obviously, Castles’ risk paid dividends. Now, he will look to bring the same value to the Philadelphia Eagles. The team fell to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Wildcard Round of the NFL Playoffs last season.

The team’s starting tight end was Dallas Goedert, who finished the season with 59 receptions for 582 yards and three touchdowns.