Former West Essex Standout
Working Toward NFL Dream

Former West Essex star Chris Corbo had accomplished so much in his three seasons as a standout tight end at Dartmouth where he was a 2-time FCS (Football Championship Subdivision) All-American and First-Team All-Ivy League selection.

However, there is still more work to accomplish on the gridiron for the North Caldwell resident, which leads to the next destination in his college career as he heads down South to become part of the Georgia Tech football program.

“This is a great opportunity that presented itself while I learned more about how (Georgia Tech tight ends) Coach (Nathan) Brock had helped develop Jackson Hawes, who is now a rookie with the Buffalo Bills,” said Corbo, who will receive his Bachelor’s degree from Dartmouth. “My ultimate dream - for sure - is to one day play in the NFL.”

Georgia Tech, which is guided by third-year head coach Brent Key, finished 9-4 this past season and dropped a narrow 25-21 decision to Brigham Young University in the Pop-Tart Bowl on Dec. 27 at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla.

Dartmouth ended a solid 7-3 in 2025 with Corbo finishing the season with 45 receptions for 516 yards and 4 touchdowns. He took 1,078 career snaps in 30 games over his three seasons of action with the New Hampshire-based Ivy League school and had a total of 86 receptions for 912 yards and 13 TDs.

Corbo, who is a strong 6-foot-5, 250-pounds, is very similar in size to the 6-4, 253-pound Hawes, the now former Georgia Tech tight end who was selected by Buffalo in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft and has had 16 receptions for 187 yards and 2 TDs for the Bills this season.

Georgia Tech has also found success with former Ivy league products highlighted most recently by the fact that its leading rusher this past season was former University of Pennsylvania standout running back Malachi Hosley, who was the 2024 Ivy League Player of the Year before entering the portal and making his way to Atlanta, Ga. In order to play for the Yellow Jackets in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

“Beyond anything about the portal in college sports today is what is the most exciting for me,” said Corbo. “I want to play better competition and be on a bigger stage each week where I can showcase my abilities while also helping Georgia Tech win games.”

Corbo spent his freshman season at Dartmouth on the scout team as he settled into the college football and Ivy League scene and did not see any game action that fall meaning that he still has one year of college eligibility remaining.

In honor of how hard he worked in helping to prepare his veteran teammates for their next game during his rookie year with the Big Green he was presented with the 2022 Scout Team Award.

He emerged quickly as a sophomore in 2023, appearing in all 10 games with 9 receptions for 81 yards and 2 TDs. His TD reception vs. Brown that season helped Dartmouth earn a share of the Ivy League title.

He enjoyed a splendid junior season in 2024 finishing second on the team in receptions with 32 and third in yards (315), while leading the Big Green in TD catches with seven, which were also second nationally among FCS tight ends, and the most by a Dartmouth player since 2019.

Walter Camp and the American Football Coaches Association selected Corbo as a first-team All-American and he was also named an Associated Press honorable mention All-American.  

“It’s been a great four years at Dartmouth and I learned so much both on and off the field there,” said Corbo. “Now I’d like to see how I can perform at an even higher level of football while also finishing credits toward a master’s degree, possibly in business or sports administration.

“I look forward to working with Coach Brock and all the Georgia Tech coaches, while also preparing to go up against the best defenses in the ACC in preparation for what I hope is the opportunity to one day play at the highest level in our sport.”

NOTES- Corbo, who starred on both sides of the ball for coach Chris Benacquista at West Essex, was also an outstanding player for coach Bill Humes and the Knights’ basketball team finishing his hoops career as a 1,000-point scorer…Originally from Roseland, Corbo moved with his family to North Caldwell where he played for the North Caldwell Cowboys junior football team before beginning his scholastic career at West Essex…He is the son of Michael and Suzanne Corbo and has one brother. His dad, who owns the popular Michael Anthony Jewelers in West Caldwell, was a 2-time all-conference defensive lineman and team captain at Franklin & Marshall in the mid-1980s. His grandfather, also named Michael, played at both Penn and Colgate. His father’s brother Greg Corbo is a former sports editor at The Montclair Times and sportswriter with The Caldwell Progress plus a longtime professional golf caddie both in New Jersey and in Florida…The Corbo Jewelers brand dates back to 1800s ancestors in Naples, Italy, and four stores later opened in New Jersey including in 1969 at The Willowbrook Mall in Wayne.