Martinez Tribune The website of the Martinez Tribune.
By GERARDO RECINOS
Martinez Tribune
After a stellar 2015 season, one Alhambra lineman will be continuing on in his football career, as senior Dante Abono signs on to play with the San Jose State Spartans.
The 6-foot-6 defensive tackle signed on with the Spartans despite interest from UC Davis, Hawaii, and Washington State earlier in the signing process.
Abono, who started his football career mostly as an offensive tackle, had a breakout year for the 7-5 Bulldogs, recording 12.5 sacks, and one stunning interception where he just ran out of gas.
In his junior year Abono was not named to any of the Diablo Foothill Athletic League’s all-league teams, which probably hampered his ability to be recruited earlier on in the process as many players have. But as a senior he was named a first-team all-league selection on defense, and was also honored for his pass and run blocking as a tackle.
“Dante is a promising defensive end with the athletic ability and size to be a special player,” his future head coach Ron Caragher told SJSUSpartans.com. “He has a tremendous upside as an impact player at the defensive end position.”
Abono missed time early in the season with an injury, but stepped up to come back and help Alhambra rebound from a road loss to Rancho Cotate where his presence was sorely missed.
Abono joins Brandon Rutley, a class of 2007 graduate, and Jared Leaf, a class of 2010 graduate, as recent Bulldogs who chose to continue wearing blue and gold, except with San Jose.
