Casa Grande big man signs to play at Idaho

The big man on the Casa Grande High School football team has agreed to a big college deal. Dylan Korte, the Gauchos’ 6-foot-8, 315-pound two-way lineman has accepted a full scholarship with the University of Idaho.

Initially, Idaho coaches weren’t specifically looking for Korte, but simply inquiring of Casa coach Trent Herzog of any college potential players at the Petaluma school.

The coach recommended Korte. Videos were sent. A college representative met with Korte, who visited the campus in Moscow, Idaho. Korte was impressed with the campus and coaches, and, just like that, he was a Division 1 football player.

“It is a beautiful campus,” Korte says. “It is nice, clean and not too spread out. I like that.”

A full scholarship to the University of Idaho is quite an accomplishment for a young man who did not begin playing football until his freshman year.

Idaho is a member of the Big Sky Conference and was 9-4 last season.

Korte missed out on youth football because his size put him on a different team from his friends, and he did not begin learning the game until his freshman year at Casa.

Once he began playing, he found that he not only liked the game, but much of it came naturally. “It (football) came to me fairly easily and quickly,” he says.

He credits Casa Grande offensive line coach Frank ?Giammona with working with him and helping him hone the skills that led to his scholarship.

His size, ability and hard work led to a selection to the Junior Prep Sports California team and opportunities to play in the Paradis Classic and Blue-Grey All American Bowl showcase games.

Korte is now playing lacrosse. Once the season ends and he attends graduation, he won’t have a lot of time to celebrate his success. He already has received a playbook and a workout schedule from Idaho, and is scheduled to report June 15 to begin workouts at the college. He will take two classes before the fall semester begins, majoring in criminology.

Korte says Casa Grande has been important to him, but now he is looking forward to the next challenge. “It is a great place to play football, and it is a great school,” he says of his Casa Grande experience. “I’ve enjoyed my time here, but I’m looking forward to what comes next.”

The newest Vandal is the son of Scott and Chris Korte.