The biggest surprise for the New York City team during Empire Challenge practices this past week has been a hard-working defensive lineman from Flushing.
Sound familiar?
Last year, Red Devils standout Jason Bromley was a workout warrior, wowing coaches and teammates. It carried over into the game where he had two sacks and three tackles for a loss en route to MVP honors. Bromley, who was unsigned at the time, parlayed the performance into a scholarship to Syracuse and he ended up being a regular for the Orange by the end of this season.
This time around it’s Shittu Salami, a thin yet explosive defensive tackle from underrated Flushing.
“Number one, the most impressive kid I’ve seen on defense is [Salami],” NYC defensive coordinator and Lincoln coach Shawn O’Connor said. “High motor, never stopping, firing off the ball.”
Bromley’s story is one that Salami knows well. The two are best friends and speak every day. Salami isn’t trying to earn college looks, though – he’ll be playing at Lackawanna College, a JUCO in Pennsylvania, next year. He just wants to make a name for himself and earn Flushing some more prestige, which is only a matter of time coming it seems with what coach Jim DeSantis has done in a short period.
“It’s pretty great,” Salami said. “Bromley played the same position as me, defensive tackle and defensive end. He came from the same school. It’s a whole lot to live up to. It’s a challenge.”
Salami, an All-City honorable mention selection by The Post, is vastly different than his friend, though. He’s lanky and 6-foot-3, one of the skinnier kids on the roster. O’Connor said he looks the most like New Utrecht quarterback Jordan Paul. But there aren’t many better, stronger athletes. Salami even returned kicks for Flushing this season. He had six sacks and two kick return touchdowns – unheard of versatility.
“It’s like my stepfather and my mother said, it doesn’t matter the size, it’s about how you perform,” Salami said.
O’Connor said Salami has flown somewhat under the radar because of his frame, but thinks at the next level he could be an excellent pass rushing outside linebacker. Salami said Lackawanna has designs on using him either at that position or defensive end. He’s always faster than the offensive lineman trying to block him and strong enough to not give up much in that department as well.
And on Tuesday, he plans on following in the footsteps of his pal Bromley.
“I’m working very hard for that,” Salami said. “Nothing is stopping me. Nothing is getting in my way.”
Certainly not any offensive linemen.
