Interview: 2018 QB German Import Salieu Ceesay Tearing Up American High School Football

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

LA Elite 11 Photo credits: Raymond Joyce

Twitter: @RaymondJoycePho

As technology leads to an expansion of globalization in markets beyond movies, automotive, soft drinks, and the like, the streaming of NFL games into new countries has pushed American football into the past time of homes across the world. The NFL is pulling in the next generation of fans leading to a rise in foreign born players picking up the pigskin for the first time and donning a helmet and shoulder pads finding a love for the game. One foreign born player impacted by the movement and now drawing the spotlight his way showing next level potential in the pocket is Aquinas High School’s Salieu Ceesay.

Ceesay is new to America but not new to playing football. One would be surprised to learn that Ceesay has been playing football for nearly a decade, not in the U.S. but in Germany. An early love for the game developed along with some God given physical abilities after a chance encounter with a local coach in his home town. After years of hard work in Germany and an opportunity to showcase his growing talents with Aquinas (San Bernardino, CA), now Ceesay is drawing interest from Division-I football programs across the country.

As CIF transfer rules apply to all, even players transferring in from other countries, Ceesay’s junior campaign was a slow start after five games forced to sit out. But once more time was put in on the field Ceesay was a natural fit in the pocket completing 64-of-111 pass attempts for 1,146 yards with 16 touchdowns against just two picks. Another part of his game started to develop, the ability to scramble for yards on a designed play or as needed. He added another 186 yards from the line of scrimmage to his stat line with four more trips to the end zone. The time in on the field helped the Falcons to an 11-3 season in 2016.

The athleticism and arm is there for the 6-4, 199 pound, recruit. The stat line through nine games helps give insight but does not tell the entire story. Ceesay split snaps with fellow Class of 2018 quarterback Ryan Wellock. Realizing the stat line he put up in just nine games while splitting snaps is pretty incredible. For those unfamiliar with the Falcons’ squad, there is another talented weapon in the backfield allowing the team to go to the pass as a luxury instead of as a must. The weapon is three-star 2018 running back Branden Rankins. Rankins has put together back-to-back 2,000-plus yard seasons on the ground becoming one of the biggest playmakers in California.

For college coaches, and fans alike, wanting to know more about Ceesay the best place to start is on saying his name properly – pronounced Saw-you See-Say. He was born and raised in Germany but the move for the Ceesay family to a new country is nothing new. His mom is from Spain and his dad is from Africa. All the rest to know about Ceesay is in his reel and in the following exclusive Q&A interview with one of the top rising talents in the state of California.

Interview

Salieu, when did you develop interest in playing American football?

“I stated playing football because I was playing soccer. We would practice soccer on the same field where they were playing football. I went to school with a kid that played for that football team. I started watching the practices. The kids were having a lot of fun. One of the coaches asked me if I wanted to try it out. I fell in love with the game and I’ve played since then.”

Were you always a quarterback or did you play other positions?

“I started playing running back. That was my first position. Then I was moved to wide receiver. I played receiver for four years until the coaches realized I could throw well. I started working on my throws and doing drills. The coaches started putting me in at quarterback. I’ve been playing some defense the entire time but defense was never my first position.”

How did you develop your arm growing up?

“I really don’t know where I got my arm from. I think it was from playing with my friends and throwing the ball around at the park. We used to do that every day. The only other sport I played was soccer.”

How has your game progressed over last summer, through the season, and into this off-season?

“I feel like ever since the first day of practice I have gotten better and better. Our coaches really know how to train you and how to make you be a better person too. The coaches have taught me a lot. Working with Ryan (Wellock), he’s a good QB too. He gives me great competition. He’s a great guy too. During the games I had a lot of help on the sidelines. As soon as the season ended I contacted Coach Steve Calhoun (Armed and Dangerous). I started working out with him. With all of my weaknesses, we found them and started working on them. My main focus has been my footwork and mechanics.”

Aquinas runs a spread offense. How does that offense suit your abilities?

“It suits me great. We have a great running back, great receivers, and a great offensive line. It is hard for other defenses to prepare for us. Our running game is so strong. The other teams know our running game is so strong so that is what they focus on. Reading the defenses, they are always run-first. That is their main focus. Our passing game is no joke. We have a lot of good receivers. I had a lot of weapons to throw to last year. Every receiver I threw to was a nice target.”

How will the offense look next season?

“We don’t lose too many players. We lose one lineman and one receiver. We have some really talented underclassmen coming in as well.”

Are you and Ryan Wellock going to split snaps during season?

“It is an open spot. Ryan and I will compete and we will know who will start when the coaches let us know. I feel confident I will start but it is a competition.”

What parts of your game are your strengths on the field?

“I’d say my arm strength. I think I have a strong arm and I am accurate too. I think what makes me standout is my intelligence for the game. I like to pick defenses apart. That is the best weapon you can have. Tom Brady is the best example. You can’t beat that. If you know what the defense is going to do before the snap there is no chance to stop you. Another strength, with pressure in my face I am still able to look down the field. I do not panic. My running ability is pretty good too.”

Are you participating in 7-on-7 this off-season?

“Yes. With my high school team.”

Which schools are showing recruiting interest in you?

“UNLV, they invited me for a visit. I just came from Arizona State. I was there Saturday. Fresno State is showing interest. I was invited to watch a practice at USC, some interest there too. I visited San Diego State last week.”

How did the Arizona State visit go?

“It was great. ASU is a great school. I felt comfortable with all of the coaches. Their offensive coordinator, Coach (Billy) Napier, really knows what he is doing. He is their QB coach too. He is a great guy too. He was not only talking about football but he was talking about life too. Their head coach, Coach (Todd) Graham, was a great guy too. I really liked their program.”

How did your SDSU visit go?

“They have a really nice program too. The area there is beautiful. The weather is perfect. We watched their practice. It was great. San Diego State has a beautiful campus.”

What has you excited about possibly visiting USC?

“I went to one of their practices last year. I saw some of their facilities then. I will go to one of their spring practices soon. I want to see more of the campus. I look forward to looking around.”

What camps might you attend coming up?

“A USC camp, ASU, Fresno State, and UNLV – I will definitely go to their camps. I hope the schedule lines up for all of them. I will attend as many camps as I can.”

You competed at the Elite 11 Los Angeles Regional recently. How did that camp go?

“It was great. It was a great experience against great competition. The coaches tell me the best QBs come from southern California, I saw that talent there. It was kind of tough to get reps with 50 quarterbacks there but every time I got a rep I did well. I got good throws in and I learned a lot. It was a great experience.”

What is your cumulative GPA?

“3.2.”

Have you taken the ACT or SAT yet?

“No. I will take it in the fall.”

What is your favorite subject?

“My favorite subject is history.”

How many languages do you speak fluently?

“I speak English and German.”

Does your family and friends overseas understand the success you are having with football?

“Oh yes. I have a great support group in Germany. People that knew me in Germany always knew me as the football player. They are very proud of me, especially my parents. I talk to people in Germany every day, coaches, friends, and family. I have a lot of great support. They are all showing me love.”

Is the game widely liked and/or understood in Europe?

“In Germany football is really starting to get popular. I think they started streaming football games two years ago. They are really into it now. When I was playing people knew about it but did not show interest. A lot of people knew about our team in the area. In the city where I am from it is popular there. In Germany in general it is starting to blow up now but soccer is still No. 1.”

Salieu, thanks for your time today and good luck with all of your upcoming camps.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credit: Ceesay family; Salieu Ceesay at Arizona State (March 2017).