Jonathan Rijo concluded his first season with the Maritime football staff following the 2017 campaign.
In his first season on the defensive staff, Rijo helped the Privateers to the third best defense in the ECFC as the unit allowed 17.9 points per game and 281.8 yards per game. Following the conclusion of the team’s nine-win season, three defensive linemen earned All-Conference honors.
In the spring and summer of 2018, Rijo competed for the Thonon Black Panthers of the Ligue Elite de Football Americain, the top level of American Football in France.
The Queens native returns to New York after playing for the Murcia Cobras in Spain from January through June of 2017. While playing for the Cobras the team reached postseason play after a four-win season. In addition to his participating internationally in Spain, Rijo was also signed to play for the Sydney Express in Austrailia in 2016.
Prior to playing internationally in the spring Rijo coached the offensive and defensive line at Information Technology High School in Long Island City, Queens during the 2016 season and helped the team to a 5-5 overall record.
Collegiately Rijo began his career at Hudson Valley Community College in Troy, New York before attending Bethany College in Kansas. He ultimately arrived at Lincoln University in Pennsylvania and was part of an offensive line that rushed for 3,479 yards in his two seasons with the Lions. At Lincoln, he was also a part of the selection for the Team Most Valuable Player as the offensive line paved the way for the program single-season rushing yard total.
In between his collegiate career he also played for the Pioneer Football League, and was a All Star honoree in 2012 after playing for the championship team that season. He was later inducted into the Pioneer Football League Hall of Fame in 2016.
Following his senior season at Lincoln, Rijo was selected to play in the Aztec Bowl in Mexico following the 2016 season. He also played in the Dream Bowl and was a part of the winning side in 2016.
Prior to attending college Rijo played both offensive and defensive line in high school and was an All-County selection, and was also selected as his team’s defensive MVP. To close out his high school career, he was selected to play in the PSAL All Star Bowl and was a part of the winning squad.
Rijo graduated from Lincoln University with a degree in Criminal Justice, he currently resides in Queens.
