Calel Aramboles [right] dives for a tackle in a state playoff game during his freshman year. (Photo via Eastbay Times)

A year after moving to Southern California from the Bronx as a fifth-grader, due to his father’s career in the U.S. Army, Calel Aramboles put on shoulder pads and a helmet for the first time, and the feeling from a 5-yard touchdown run in that initial season ignited a love for football.

In the four years since, Aramboles – a junior-to-be at the California School for the Deaf in Fremont, who’ll compete at this weekend’s U.S. National Team regional in Sacramento – has grown into a collegiate prospect on the gridiron.

Aramboles saw his share of challenges in those early days on the football field.

“It was difficult. My coach and I had to create how to sign the plays,” said the 5-foot-11, 230-pound Aramboles, who has partial hearing in his left ear with a Cochlear implant. “(We) practiced with numbered plays to hit the holes – easier, but our communication struggled. Sometimes my dad helped the team and me with creating sign plays.”

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CSD coach Warren Keller first saw Aramboles when he played for the NorCal Golden Bears middle school-level squad.

“He looked like he was two years older than everybody. He ran with so much force and had football savvy that was way beyond his years,” said Keller, whose football program has around 30 students from the school of 415.

This is what Keller saw:

 

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“He showed so much passion, so I knew when I coached him I had to challenge him every day,” Keller said. “We were fortunate that we had a very strong team his freshman year, and they showed Calel the ropes. He had an excellent sophomore year, and now we look to him to be one of our leaders this fall.”

As a freshman, Aramboles ran for 841 yards and 10 touchdowns at running back, and had 50 tackles at defensive end. This past season, he had 1,528 rushing yards and 16 TDs (including a 321-yard game in a win over San Juan), along with 45 stops at middle linebacker. 

During Aramboles’ freshman year, during which CSD went 11-2, the team topped Woodland Christian 43-0 in a game played on ESPN2, as Aramboles ran for multiple TDs and recovered a fumble.

“I was very honored that we were recognized on ESPN. Our team wanted to show who we deaf players are,” Aramboles said. “Honestly, it was one of the best experiences of my life, and I was hungry every moment to play hard. We wanted to show everyone that deaf people can do everything except hear. We’re very proud of California School for the Deaf, and I’ve seen an increase of interest in our school after that.”

Aramboles’ strength gains are impressive, including a 525-pound squat, up from 185 pounds as a freshman. But his development goes far beyond workouts.

“Calel didn’t have many deaf role models and signing skills before he arrived to CSD. While it pleases me the football part has clearly improved, he’s improved academically and socially,” Keller said. “We expect him to become a productive citizen of society when the football part is done. He’s one of the most driven students I’ve ever met.”

CSD football coach Warren Keller. (Photo via Oakdale Leader)

NCAA Division I programs are now interested, and Aramboles hopes to earn a spot on the U.S. National Team that’ll play in the 2019 International Bowl at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. In the meantime, he’s focused on schoolwork and preparation for next season, as the Eagles look to build on last year’s 5-4 record that followed significant graduation losses.

“We always lecture about brotherhood and about who’s willing to sacrifice for others,” Aramboles said. “We believe we’ll be rewarded for discipline and high character.”