“On the dotted line” is a new series spotlighting local athletes and their journeys to signing National Letters of Intent. If you know of an athlete who’s already signed or will be and should be featured, please email bwalton@journalnet.com.
POCATELLO − In college athletics, not many athletes get the chance to stay home and represent their hometown team.
Colton George will get that chance. On February 7, the former Highland High School linebacker signed his National Letter of Intent to play football for the Idaho State Bengals once he gets back from his upcoming two-year LDS mission in Costa Rica.
“It was the biggest relief, all the work, the early mornings for the last four or five years that I’ve done, all the days of grinding and practicing, putting my mind in a position to play the sport, finally being rewarded,” George said. “I remember waking up early and signing, which was a special feeling. It was a feeling of all my hard work, I finally had something to show for it.”
George was born and raised in Pocatello. The senior got his start in wrestling at 3 before beginning flag football with his father, David George. Colton George actually played mostly quarterback back then. But he switched over to linebacker at Highland.
It ended up being a pretty smooth transition.
George was a three-year starter for the Rams. He collected individual awards like all-conference honors, but a state championship still eluded him. So after a loss to Meridian in the quarterfinals of the 2022 playoffs, George and the returners vowed to win state.
The 6-foot-2-inch, 200-pounder followed up that promise with a remarkable senior season. He capped off a fantastic high school career with the second-most career tackles in Highland history.
He finished with 290 total tackles, including 102 this past season, 16 tackles- for-loss, nine forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries, five pass deflections and one interception.
George and the Rams then finally got over the hump to win a state championship. A back-and-forth affair with Coeur d’Alene ensued in the Class 5A title game, and George stepped up in a big way.
With the Vikings inside the 5-yard line, stud running back Owen Harris took a carry and was looking for the end zone. But George sniffed it out and laid a massive hit that jarred the ball loose and the Rams recovered. With the help of George and the seniors, the Rams went on to win 35-28 for the program’s 12th banner − the most in Idaho history.
“When we finally won the state championship, holding up that trophy in front of all the fans, Highland alumni and parents, it was the greatest feeling,” George said. “It was probably my favorite football experience ever.”
After his fantastic season on the gridiron, George switched to the mats. He wrestled all four years for the Rams and was a two-time state placer leading up to his senior season. George tore up his senior season and finished 34-3 heading into the state tournament. He advanced to the 5A 195-pound state championship match against defending champion Carson Gooley of Meridian. Unfortunately, George lost a heartbreaking 6-5 decision and ended his senior year as a runner-up on the wrestling mats.
While George is a remarkable athlete in both wrestling and football, he chose the gridiron over the mat. He’ll now soon get the opportunity to play for head coach Cody Hawkins.
“I didn’t have a whole lot of other attention. I’d have a few coaches reach out to me, but it was a little radio silence, and I just felt like none of them had seen me play, and that put a chip on my shoulder a little bit,” George said. “I felt like I was super under-recruited. But there’s no place I’d rather go than Idaho State.”
Highland head coach Nick Sorrell echoed that same sentiment.
“As you grow up in this community, you’ve got a college team here. You always dreamed about being able to play at that next level, and it’s better playing in front of your hometown,” Sorrell said. “You have a whole bunch of support and people that will watch you. I think that’s a cool thing he gets to do that.”
But Bengal fans will have to wait to see George in the orange and black. As playing college football, wasn’t his only dream.
“I know that serving my mission is the right thing for me to do,” George said. “As a little kid, I just couldn’t wait to get out and serve the people in the world and bring them the knowledge that I have that I love. That’s the word of the Savior Jesus Christ, and I can’t wait to sacrifice these two years.”
David, who knows George better than almost anyone, could not be prouder of the man he is and who he will become.
“I’m not sure that words can express the pride that my wife and I have in Colton. He a great kid,” David said. “There are no guarantees, so to see his hard work and dedication, not knowing what the outcome would be, says a lot about who he is as a young man.”
George can’t wait to play for the Bengals. Not just to fulfill a childhood dream, but for the chance to play alongside his older brother Logan George. Logan, who will be a sophomore, appeared in 10 games, recorded 31 total tackles − 11th on the team − 4.5 tackles-for-loss, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and a pass breakup for ISU last season. So barring any redshirts, he will be a senior when Colton George joins the team in 2026.
“I’m not going to lie. I do think about that one,” David said. “The one thing that I missed in high school was seeing them on the same field at the same time because they’re three years apart. However, I fantasize about them playing for the home team here at ISU and the fun that will be. Shelley and I could not be prouder and more excited for the future.”
George is a kid who has fought through adversity. He feels like he really only had one year of high school due to COVID and last spring’s school fire. But it’s that resilience, character and work ethic that should get Bengal fans excited for the future.
Because his could be a name that is shouted and chanted at the ICCU Dome for years to come.
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