One of Georgia's best kept secrets is linebacker Jon Abbate. Abbate is a terrific middle linebacker for Harrison High School. They are 9-0 and ranked number two in the state. Their defense is outstanding, shutting out five of their nine opponents so far this season. In those nine games, Abbate has 135 tackles and 18 tackles for a loss.
"I am a linebacker with good speed and I just love to hit people," said Abbate. "I have good instincts and just a feel for the game."
Abbate, 5-11 and 230 pounds, runs in the mid-4.5 range and bench presses an incredible 405 pounds. Have the college coaches taken notice?
"Recruiting has been slow but it's starting to unfold. Miami of Ohio, Ohio, Bowling Green, Wofford and Georgia Southern have offered me a scholarship. I have talked with North Carolina and Wake Forest. Georgia has asked me if I would be interested in walking on."
Harrison is loaded with other college football prospects. Teammates Jason Evans (Penn State), Paul Oliver (Georgia), Scott Lenahan (North Carolina) and Tim Cesa (Maryland) have all committed. Abbate would prefer to play for a college football power. If not, he understands that it's not where you go but what you do when you get there.
Someone is going to get themselves one of heck of a linebacker in Jon Abbate.