Photo by Randy Edwards – NSU Athletics
Despite a highly successful high school career at Wagoner that included one football and two wrestling state championships, Northeastern State University sophomore Kale Charboneau says he was uncertain about what to do after high school.
“I really didn’t have a plan about what to do, but I could tell that coach Chev (NSU football coach Darrin Chiaverini) was starting to change the program at NSU and that kind of led me there. Being pretty close to home was a big plus as well.”
The move turned out to be a good one for both Kale and the RiverHawks. NSU had one of the biggest turnarounds in all of college football, going from 2-9 in 2024 to 9-3 in 2025 and Chiaverini was named Division II Coach of the Year by College Football Network. Playing linebacker for the RiverHawks, Kale tied for the team lead with 73 total tackles, the most for a freshman at NSU since 2003. His 43 solo tackles and 11.5 tackles for loss were the most ever for an NSU freshman.
As is probably the case for most incoming freshmen. Charboneau initially had his share of doubts about moving from high school to college football, but with hard work he quickly overcame those doubts.
“After a couple of weeks of practice, I realized that I could play with these guys. Overcoming that uncertainty was the hardest part for me and the upperclassmen were great and helped me make that transition.”
Kale says his wrestling background was probably more instrumental in his success than his football knowledge..
“Wrestling has been a really big help because it makes you tough. To be successful you really have to work hard and having that mindset helped me be good at linebacker. Also, the leverage you learn in wrestling helped me with tackling.”
On the academic front, Charboneau says his instructors have helped with that side of the transition to college life.
“The professors are great to help if you need it and there are usually one or two football players in all my classes, so we hold each other accountable.”
Kale also enjoys all there is to do around Tahlequah itself plus there is an added bonus for him.
“My grandmother works in Tahlequah, so she takes me out to eat each week and I get to sample a lot of restaurants too,” he laughed.
