OKEECHOBEE – We have a shining defensive star who plays for the Okeechobee Brahmans right now.
Be on the lookout for Andre Santiago, who stands at 6-foot-2 and weighs at 200 pounds. This is being said primarily because of how well he performed last season as a junior.
In nine games played, the 2025 defensive posted the following statistics:
•33 total tackles
•11 tackles for loss
•12 sacks
•4 forced fumbles
•1 fumble recovery
Best individual game: Week 1 at DeSoto County in 49-0 win with 5 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, and 3 forced fumbles
Santiago reflected on last year’s regular-season opener against DeSoto County.
“First of all, I thank God for all the gifts and talents he has blessed me with,” Santiago said. “Going into the DeSoto game, it was a little nerve wracking, and the reason why was because I was asked to play defensive end only a week prior to the game. I was originally going to play free safety. But on game day, I knew that I had an assignment, and my dad always told me to shine wherever I’m at on the field. So having that as a mindset helped me lock in. And I learned within the first couple snaps that this position was perfect for my style of football.”
Santiago did not stop there.
“As far as my game performance went, I humbly say that I had a good game,” Santiago said. “It set a tone for the rest of the season.”
Speaking of this entire past season, Santiago shared his thoughts on how it ultimately went for him.
“Humbly I feel like my junior year was a success,” Santiago said. “The fact that opposing coaches were coming up to me after games and telling me that they were trying to ovoid running the ball to my side of the defensive line made me feel like I was doing my job correctly. It was a new but fun experience, battling to stay focused on the next game and not getting cocky and trying to stay composed. The fact that I could prove to myself that I could do those things makes me feel like I have grown not only as a football player but as a young man as well.”
Santiago had more to say about his junior season.
“I loved the whole environment,” Santiago said. “I loved all the coaches of that year and the players that were on the field with me. The competitiveness that we had with each other to get better was amazing. I even enjoyed the times we didn’t agree on things and the arguments because it just proved that we’re all human and we all had that relationship where we can get it right with each other after every time. The only thing I would change is getting more tackles and sacks.”
Okeechobee starting quarterback Christopher Evans (2026) spoke on the level of impact that Santiago has on the team and more.
“On the field, coming from an offensive position to a defensive position is such a task, but he transitioned very well,” Evans said. “He had a successful season and he’s coming from that break out year at defensive end to excel and have an even better senior season.”
Evans did not stop there.
“Off the the field, he’s very passionate and is a character of his own,” Evans said. “He is a hard worker and plays other sports, so he knows the grind: baseball, basketball, and football.”
At this time, Santiago has no college scholarship offers. But FIU has been showing some interest for the rising star.
We will be staying on top of Santiago’s college recruiting process from now until the day he signs his letter of intent to play on the next level.
Now with that said, the offseason is a pivotal time for Santiago to improve his overall craft.
As the winter offseason gave way to the spring football circuit and spring football games at the Immokalee Spring Jamboree on May 23 – opponents were Immokalee (28-0 loss; Game 1) and East Lee County (14-0 loss; Game 2) – the focus is now on the months of June and July for the summer offseason.
Santiago and his Okeechobee teammates will be taking part in what is called the Men of Distinction camp. He wants to participate in outside camps as well.
“For the summer I have an MOD camp that my coach puts on all summer for all the players Monday through Friday,” Santiago said. “It’s weightlifting and field work as well. And I also have a couple of camps I’m going to and still looking for more. I’m going to try to go to as many camps as i possibly can this summer. And I’ll be trying to put on as much weight as I can while doing all those things.”
After the summer ends, the moment of truth comes as the fall football season will take center stage from the end of July until November.
“I would love to top my last season and keep my composure, as well as me keeping my emotions under control,” Santiago said. “I want to leave a mark and lead a good example for all my teammates and peers. As for the team, I would love to win the district title and go as far as we possibly can. I want us to have a winning season for my senior year.”
PHOTO CREDITS: Okeechobee High School Journalism and Izzy
Muck City Media Enterprises 
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