Like Father, Like Son: Vandegrift Qb Miles Teodecki Follows Father's Footsteps To Penn

Steve Teodecki (left) poses with sons Miles and Grant and wife Amanda after a Vandegrift football game. Steve was a quarterback at Penn in the 1990s. Miles will follow his footsteps this fall. (Courtesy of Teodecki family)

The University of Pennsylvania football team has a pipeline that reaches Vandegrift quarterback Miles Teodecki's northwest Austin home.

Teodecki, who guided the Vipers to 27 wins in two seasons, including a state championship in 2024, signed Wednesday morning with the Penn Quakers at an assembly at the campus gym. Among the interested spectators in attendance was Teodecki's dad, Steve, who knows a little bit about Penn football.

Steve Teodecki played quarterback for Penn for four years (1993-96) and had a small role in his son's decision to commit to the Ivy League school in Philadelphia.

Steve Teodecki earned four letters while playing quarterback at Penn. He didn't start until his senior year. (Courtesy of Teodecki family)

When Miles made the decision to follow Steve's footsteps, the entire family rejoiced. Steve also put the news in a group chat for about a dozen of his old friends from Penn to see.

"There was a lot of excitement from everybody," Steve said.

RELATED: Dripping Springs, Lake Travis lead Central Texas football teams on national signing day

From Kansas State to Penn

National signing day for the Class of 2026 includes more than 40 from Central Texas, six from Vandegrift. The list of Vipers includes the area's top receiver, Brock Chilton, who signed with Air Force, and chief offensive tackle Carter Mannon, who will call East Texas A&M his home for the next four years.

The broad smile etched on Miles Teodecki's face Wednesday was a clear indication he was happy — and relieved — the recruiting process is finally over.

The 6-foot-2 left-hander was set to join Kansas State when he made a verbal commitment to join the Wildcats last summer. But when head coach Chris Klieman retired after the 2025 season — and was replaced by KSU football legend Collin Klein — Teodecki's plans needed to be change. In a meeting with Teodecki, Klein indicated he had no plans to plans to use him. Teodecki is a traditional dropback passer but Klein wants a dual-threat quarterback.

Teodecki said he was "upset at first" but understood that a new coach needs to use a system he prefers.

As for Penn, he realizes the family element of going to his dad's alma mater. Growing up, though, he was a Michigan fan because his mother, Amanda, swam for the Wolverines after graduating from Mercy High in Farmington Hills, Mich.

Steve Teodecki holds one milestone at Penn that will last forever. He was the first freshman quarterback to ever throw a touchdown pass to a freshman when he connected with his friend Mark Fabish in a 1993 game. That was the first season that freshman were allowed to start for the varsity team.

An 'opportunity to reach all my goals and dreams'

Miles Teodecki said Vandegrift has prepared him for what promises to be a challenging time with Penn football and academics. A straight-A student, he said the football team's core pillars — discipline, effort, toughness and honor — will stay with him for a lifetime.

Vandegrift Vipers quarterback Miles Teodecki (12) runs a keeper and stopped by Cedar Park Timberwolves linebacker Jahiem (9) during the second quarter at the non-district football game on Friday, Sept 5, 2025, at Monroe Stadium in Austin, TX. (John Gutierrez Photo/John Gutierrez for Austin American-Statesman)

Teodecki and his teammates arrive at school at 5:30 in the morning for practices that begin in darkness. He became "accustomed" to it, saying he simply went to bed early to get enough sleep.

It was that type of discipline that helped Vandegrift win the Class 6A DII state championship — the school's first state title in football — with a 24-17 victory over Southlake Carroll in 2024.

Fans might remember that Teodecki earned offensive MVP honors after completing 14-of-17 passes for 248 yards. His favorite play was an 84-yard touchdown bomb to George Farley

What fans might not know is how Teodecki broke the middle finger of his passing hand in the first quarter and managed to play through pain.

"It was mind over matter after that and adrenaline," Teodecki said. "I took 12 ibuprofen and continued to play."

A rock star on the field, Teodecki is also a model student. He ranks No. 50 in a senior class of 620. But he doesn't hold top family honors regarding his grades. His twin brother Grant, who will play soccer at Trinity University, ranks "somewhere in the top 10," according to Miles.

As for the future, Miles Teodecki plans to enroll in the prestigious Wharton School on Penn's campus to study business.

"Penn gives me an opportunity to reach all my goals and dreams," he said.

Miles Teodecki, who recently played his final game at Vandegrift, will follow his father Steve's footsteps and play quarterback for Penn this fall after signing on Wednesday. (Amanda Teodecki/Photo by Amanda Teodecki)