Interview: Transfer to IMG Academy for Dante Sparaco does not Dampen Enthusiasm for Buffaloes

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

Love for one’s home state is a deep bond that is hard to break ties with at any point in life, even if only for a few months. When Class of 2017 tight end/defensive end Dante Sparaco transferred from Cherry Creek High School to IMG Academy over the summer, Colorado natives felt that one of their own had lost his love for the Centennial State but nothing could be further from the truth.

What many football fans in Colorado are missing is the courage Sparaco has deep within.

For football fans not in the know, IMG Academy has quickly risen as one of the premier private high school football programs in the nation. The academy helps top recruits transform their high school athleticism and classroom work to a collegiate level in preparation for the next big step they will take in life. The thought for any teenager leaving home for an extended period of stay may seem like fun for some, but the move deep down is a big tug on the heartstrings.

Sparaco’s move came about after helping the Bruins to a 10-3 mark in 2015. Cherry Creek made a run to the CHSAA State Semifinal Round before a tough 20-10 loss to eventual state champ Valor Christian. With Sparaco back helping anchor the line in the running game and being a big target at 6-5, 255 pounds, in the passing attack, Cherry Creek was hoping to make another deep run into the playoffs in 2016. On June 23, Sparaco announced his move to IMG Academy. All the love from his Feb. 28, commitment to Colorado was quickly forgotten with the ill-informed making up their own collective minds as to why Sparaco transferred schools.

In a Recruiting News Guru stylized interview, I caught up with Sparaco to get the inside scoop on his move from Colorado to Florida, his off-season workouts, and his thoughts on his commitment to Colorado.

Interview

Dante, watching over your 2015 reel, I noticed a jersey switch from 10 to 69. What brought about the switch?

“What happened was, one of our offensive linemen went down. I had to play some O-line for the rest of the season. I had to switch numbers because of the position switch. Our two backups were hurt too.”

Which position did you officially line up playing along the line?

“It was a scheme thing. I switched sides, normally to the strong-side, but officially I would have been a left tackle.”

You had a big season with Cherry Creek committing to Colorado along with your then teammate Jonathan Van Diest on Feb. 28. On June 23, you announced you were transferring schools. How has the transfer gone so far?

“Growing up in Colorado my whole life, the weather change, humidity, and the heat is something I am getting used to. IMG is a college level studies program. I am learning to manage my time and how to eat better. I’m learning how to better take care of my body and I’m hitting the weights hard. It is taking some getting used to, but I think I am getting used to it. Everything is going smoothly so far.”

What position will you play at IMG Academy, tight end or defensive end?

“As far as I am aware, I’ll be at tight end. I’ve been practicing at tight end. It all depends on where the team and coaches need me or where I fit in best.”

Which position did Colorado recruit you to play?

“The label is as a big athlete. They don’t know where I will play when I get there. It all depends on where I feel the most comfortable and it also depends on if I get any bigger. This is one of those things that will be determined later when I get there. Nothing is set in stone. I think the primary position is at tight end but we are keeping other options open.”

As a tight end, what are some of the things that you do well on the field?

“I think my biggest strength is I can get down and dirty with the line. In a wing set I can be a lead blocker for the running back. I can take on linemen, linebackers, and safeties.”

What about in the passing game? What makes you a weapon there?

“I model my game after Rob Gronkowski (New England Patriots tight end). I use my size and strength on hitch routes or on check downs to get open. I am a big body on the goal line to throw to and I can catch the ball in touch situations. I’m a good fit in the passing game.”

What have you been working on in the off-season to prepare for your senior year?

“I’ve been working heavily on speed and elusiveness.”

What gains have you made on the work you’ve put in this off-season?

“I’ve become faster. I’ve lost 10 pounds, which has helped. I am more efficient in pass route running and technique. I’m better at getting off the line in press overage and getting over the top. I’m using my eyes better to find holes in the defense. I’ve become more efficient at that.”

You said you’ve become faster. Have you ran a 40-yard dash this off-season?

“Yes. I ran a 4.74. That was during a 7v7 tournament.”

Have you maxed out on any of the primary football lifts this summer?

“We have not maxed out lately. The last time I maxed out was at the beginning of the year. We have not maxed out at IMG yet. My projected bench is 330, my squat is 475, and my power clean is between 270 to 300 (pounds).”

Nice. Did you go to any college camps this summer?

“The only one I went to was Colorado. I did not see the point in going to others. That would have been a waste of money and time. I went to Colorado as a loyalty thing and for an opportunity to be with the coaching staff and learning from them.”

I’m sure you have answered this question a million times, but what lead you to commitment to Colorado?

“Everyone always has the hometown school as an option, for me it was a big hometown thing. Being close to my mom and dad, they can see me play in college. It also allows me to be around friends and family. The coaching staff and facilities there are elite – best in the nation no doubt. They can’t be beat.

“This is really big for me as well. One of the coaches told me, at a big school you are just another good player in the machine. At Colorado, you can help build something at a historic program that is on the rise. The last two recruiting classes, you can tell they are building something special (currently ranked the No. 25 class in the nation by Rivals). Getting Colorado back to where they once were is very intriguing. We are getting some big time dudes. When Jon and I, committed – it is great seeing guys like Jaylon Jackson (wide receiver), Maurice Bell (wide receiver), and Tyler Lytle (quarterback) buying in. We have a chance to start something huge here. We created that hand sign. We really want to be a part of building something back up. Now we have to continue what the guys who are already there have done so far.”

How many offers do you have right now?

“I think I have 17 offers. I have one from every Ivy League except Brown and Harvard.”

Are there any teams still showing recruiting interest in you?

“Most of the coaches that have offered me talk to me on a regular basis. Purdue, Army, and Columbia talk to me all the time. I am solid on CU. I have no plans on leaving CU. One of the cons about going to IMG, everyone thought that I was going to leave CU. I have no plans on leaving CU.”

How did your school year end up in the classroom as a junior?

“My GPA weighted was a 3.9, unweighted it was a 3.8.”

You have a lot of Ivy League offers so I know you’ve taken the ACT or SAT already.

“I have. I got a 28 on my ACT. Some of the Ivy League schools want me to take it again to get a 29 or 30 on it.”

Did you play any other sports for Cherry Creek?

“No. I stopped playing other sports for football. Football is year round for me now. I can be a high school student and play three sports or develop my craft. I made football my priority.”

I’ve looked over IMG’s 2016 schedule – it is brutal. What are your thoughts about the schedule?

“We’ve looked at the schedule. We play the toughest high school schedule that has ever been put together. Our staff has done a great job of scheduling at the highest level. We have no off weeks I can assure you that. Every team we play has the ability to be a nationally ranked team. We have to compete with the best of the best to be the best. This is big boy high school football. This is the best that it gets in high school football.”

Before we part, earlier you seem very intent on getting your message out to Colorado fans about your commitment. Is there anything else you would like to tell them directly via this interview?

“I know a lot of people are unhappy about me leaving Cherry Creek. I want everyone to know that I have no intentions on decommitting for CU. I hope that I can put everyone’s mind at ease. I came down here to get better as a player not to leave CU.”

Well said Dante. I appreciate your time today and good luck with IMG’s brutal schedule.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: Colorado Sports Artwork; No. 10 Dante Sparaco lines up on the end of the line.

Photo credit: Sparaco family; Dante Sparaco at Colorado with head coach Mike McIntyre.