Highland Lakes student signs with FSU

HIGHLAND LAKES — The recent bout of cold and snowy weather in Sussex County has had many residents dreaming of heading south. Ryan Izzo will be living that dream in September.

Izzo, a Highland Lakes resident and a senior at Pope John High School in Sparta, has received a full division-one football scholarship from Florida State University in Tallahassee and will be playing for the Seminoles next season. Although a ceremony at Pope John with his family and coaches was scheduled for National Signing Day on Feb. 5, it was postponed until the following day due to the weather.

Football career
“I’ve been playing football for almost all of my life, probably starting in second grade,” says Izzo.

As recently as his freshmen year, Izzo was playing quarterback, until his coach realized that his athletic ability and size would make him a formidable tight end. For the last three years, that is the position Izzo has stayed with.

“I like the versatility of the tight end position,” he says. “Sometimes you’re more like a wide receiver and sometimes more like a lineman.”

Izzo has received many honors, including being selected for the New Jersey Herald’s First Team and the New Jersey Star-Ledger’s All-State Third Team in 2013, and he also plays varsity basketball.

Izzo believes that his time at Pope John helped prepare him for college ball.

“Coach (Brian) Carlson’s plays were all based off college formations,” he says.

Having received a number of offers from different universities, the choice of a future with FSU was surprisingly easy for Izzo.

“I visited a lot of schools and met a lot of coaches,” he says. “When I visited FSU I just fell in love with the campus and I liked all of the coaches.”

Giving thanks
Izzo credits the support of others for his success.

“I would like to say thanks to my parents for my upbringing and my morals and principles, and for keeping me on track," said Izzo. "Also, my teammates for helping me when I was struggling and when I needed somebody to talk to, and of course my coaches, particularly Coach Carlson.”

Izzo would like to eventually be a professional athlete, but is keeping his head firmly in the present.

“We’ll see how college goes,” he says.

Asked for his advice to up-and-coming local athletes, Izzo advises, “Never give up on your dream!”