2025 Nasim Cairo Camp Spotlight



Football
8/12/2025 8:25:00 AM







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By Jeff Honza
Associate Director of Athletics for Strategic Communications
 
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – Everything in Nasim Cairo’s life revolves around football and he has enjoyed every bit of his journey to becoming one of Southeast Missouri’s prominent defensive players. 
 
When he was 11 years old, Cairo moved to the Netherlands to live with his grandmother and other family members. During his time in Europe, he played multiple sports and found his true love for football.
 
Four years later, Cairo moved back to the United States so he could play high school sports. It was then that he attended Edwardsville High School in Edwardsville, Illinois.
 
At the time, his mother couldn’t move back to Edwardsville with him, so Cairo lived with a host family for two years until she returned.
 
Cairo had it narrowed down to two schools when it came time to make his choice to play college football. 
 
Originally, SEMO had an offer on the table but backed off when Cairo took too long to decide. 
 
He relied on fellow Edwardsville native and then-Redhawks linebacker Jacob Morrissey for help. Cairo’s persistence and Morrissey’s assistance convinced SEMO’s coaches to re-offer. 
 
This time, he committed.
 
 “I had a hard time making my decision and am fortunate SEMO reconsidered and gave me another chance during the recruiting process,” recalled Cairo.
 
Cairo and Morrissey played two seasons together at SEMO in 2022 and 2023.
 
After that, Cairo secured Second-Team All-Ohio Valley Conference-Big South honors in 2024. He ranked eighth on the team with 40 tackles, tied for second with four sacks and recorded a team-high 11 quarterback hurries. 
 
As he prepares for his upcoming senior year and second-straight season starting on the defensive line, Cairo wants to go out with a bang.
 
“I want to be one of the best defensive players in the Football Championship Subdivision,” he said. “That’s how I want to close out my college career.”
 
Cairo, who has won two OVC-Big South championship rings and played in two FCS Playoffs, takes a lot of pride in the winning culture Head Coach Tom Matukewicz has instilled.
 
“There’s such a high level of accountability in our program that makes us all better. We’re a family and hold each other to the highest standards. It’s a strict but loving culture and I embrace it wholeheartedly,” said Cairo.
 
Cairo thrives on being a crazy and energetic player who constantly creates havoc for opposing offenses. 
 
“That’s who I am on and off the field,” he said. “Football has done everything for me in my life and given me so many opportunities to be successful. I just have fun out there.”
 
Cairo uses football to give back too.
 
Against UT Martin last season, he made a game-saving tackle that forced the Skyhawks to kick a field goal which they ended up missing. Cairo’s big play helped give SEMO a 45-42 double overtime victory.
 
“That game was one of the most memorable and it’s something I’ll be able to look back on the rest of my life,” said Cairo. “UT Martin is the team I look forward to playing most in our conference.”
 
Cairo gets one last crack at UT Martin when SEMO opens OVC-Big South action against the Skyhawks on Sept. 27.
 
“I can’t wait for that game and am excited to see the goals our team can accomplish this season,” he said.

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