BROOKFIELD, Wis. — The recruiting website 247 Sports lists eight Wisconsin high school seniors as committed and signed to play in Division 1 college football. 

Nollenn Tabaska, a tight end from Brookfield East High School, is one of them. He signed his National Letter of Intent this month to play for the U.S. Military Academy West Point. 

Tabaska said a promising football program, plus a rigorous but highly regarded academic reputation, led to him choosing the Army. 

“It’s a very prestigious university, and I’ll be able to build connections and build my network for life after football,” Tabaska said. 

Jake Hoerchner, Brookfield East’s offensive coordinator, said the Army is getting a heck of a talent. 

“Not everyone is 6 feet 7 inches and 230 pounds, so when you have a kid with that size, you can do a lot with him,” Hoerchner said. “But he also still has room to grow. He can add size, add strength, even build some more speed.” 

He said Tabaska’s work ethic and approach to the game may be his best quality. 

“His willingness to do whatever it takes, whether that’s to do the dirty work and go block or go run routes, that’s his biggest strength,” Hoerchner added. 

Tabaska said that his hard-working attitude is due largely to his upbringing. 

Tabaska’s mom, Shannon Seymer-Tabaska, is currently in her 31st year of work as an inspector with the Milwaukee Police Department. His father also worked at Milwaukee Police as a mounted patrol officer for 27 years.  

Tabaska said that background influenced his desire to serve in the military. 

West Point students enter the service with the rank of second lieutenant upon graduation. 

“Obviously, being around them my whole life, that’s something I’ve always wanted to be involved in,” Tabaska said. “So if it wasn’t football, and going to Army, I’d probably be going into law enforcement.” ​

“I think he definitely has a passion to serve,” his mom, Seymer-Tabaska said. 

She added that her son has a “warrior” mentality. 

When he was just 3 years old, he was diagnosed with Atypical Spitz Nevus, a rare, cancerous tumor that had to be removed from his leg. 

At the time, the family saw tremendous support from organizations like Make-A-Wish Wisconsin and the Midwest Athletes Against Childhood Cancer Fund. 

Seymer-Tabaska said that motivated her son to give back as he grew up. 

“As a young child, going through the experience he went through, he was always willing to help out and be there for others,” she said. “He volunteered for the MACC fund. He volunteered for Make-A-Wish throughout his life.” 

“That passion to serve, that’s hopefully what we did instill in him since his childhood,” Seymer-Tabaska added. “But I think the life experiences he’s had, from childhood until now, have really encouraged him to pursue that path.” 

Tabaska said he plans to draw on those values while competing as a Division 1 college athlete. 

He added he’s very excited to play in the Army vs. Navy game someday, which he got to attend last season as a recruit. 

“The pregame stuff with the flyovers, the cadets all standing together for the whole game, people are parachuting and jumping in from the sky,” Tabaska said. “It all just gives you an adrenaline rush.” ​