When Carleton Ravens football recruit George Saloum first started playing football, he said it was because he was jealous of his cousin who already played.
Fast-forward to his senior year of high school and Saloum has certainly done well for himself since then. He will be joining the Ravens after playing for the Bishop O’ Byrne Bobcats of Alberta Schools’ Athletic Association.
“I started playing and I stuck with it,” Saloum said. “I just developed.”
His high school football career has paved the way for his induction as a Ravens recruit.
“It’s been really good, I’ve done really well,” Saloum said.
After sustaining injuries and sitting out a couple of games in Grade 11, he came back and was still able to perform well enough to attract the attention of Carleton coaches.
Ever since the coaches contacted him, Saloum said he felt “really comfortable with the program and the facilities.”
He was flown down to Ottawa during the summer and got the opportunity to talk to all the coaches and get a feel for the city, which he said he really liked.
Steve Sumarah, the head coach of the Ravens football team, said via email Saloum is a “big athletic player who has a nose for the ball.”
“He is an exceptional pass rusher and someone who will wreak havoc on the opposing teams’ quarterback,” Sumarah said.
Saloum said his high school experiences have prepared him well for university football.
“My head coach Derek MacCready played in the CFL and played for Ohio State, so he prepared me really well for it,” he said.
In terms of his major, Saloum said his primary choice would be a degree in management for commerce.
“I want to get my degree and get to know Ottawa and hopefully settle down there,” Saloum said. “[I want to] meet new people and start a new life.”
Sumarah said every first-year player who comes into the Canadian Interuniversity Sport brings a group of skills but also needs to refine others.
“I think George comes in with a pass rushing and tenacity that will be effective right away, but I think having coach Darrell Adams working with him will bring out some new tools for him to use,” Sumarah said.
Outside of school, Saloum said he wants to help other young kids play football or help coach. His big dream is to make it to the NFL and his dream team would be the New England Patriots.
Saloum said his biggest challenge will be to balance school and football as it is important to stay focused on both, and school comes first.
“You can’t take anything as a joke, you have to take advantage of it,” Saloum said.
