Sal Balistrieri '23 Recruiting Profile

Ever since I was very young, football has had a special place in my heart. From going to Green Bay Packer games, to flag football, and to tackle football, that love has always stuck with me. I have been through 0-7 seasons, state championship seasons, and everything in between, each of which have taught me something and brought me closer to the game and the players around me. This past summer of 2019, I was selected to the U-15 U.S. National Team for the Middle School Bowl Games in Canton, Ohio. It was an honor to go there and play with some of the best of the best in my grade. My ultimate goal is to play college football, and that week spent in Canton really brought me to the realization that as hard as I think I am currently working, there are hundreds of players around the country with the same goals as I have working just as hard. Because I aspire to be the best of the best, I believe I need to be on another level.  It’s not good enough to work harder than my teammates or my opponents. I need to work harder than the best in the country to get where I want to go. Then I need to do everything I can to help my teammates get better and help them understand this as well. This work ethic, sense of responsibility, and self-determination is something I will continue with throughout my journey of playing football and leading others.