Brooks Abel, who graduated from Kentwood High in 2008, recently signed on to play football at Utah State University in Logan.

Abel, a 6-foot-6 300-pound lineman, spent this past season playing at College of the Siskiyous in Northern California.

He received a three-year full-ride scholarship to Utah State.

Abel earned a fifth year at Kentwood High. He endured his share of struggles during high school, both personally and in the classroom, but turned a corner his second senior season. Goes to show you what a second chance means to some kids. From what I hear, Abel blossomed into a leader with College of the Siskiyous and graduated with his two-year degree in a little more than a year. It’s quite a success story and Abel deserves a big pat on the back.