STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Kasiem Cromwell literally did it all during his playing days at Port Richmond High School.
The three-year varsity player was a wide receiver, running back and quarterback and lined up anywhere from end to cornerback on the defensive side of the ball.
Cromwell was on Wagner College’s wish list for the next four years and when asked which position the Grymes Hill school recruited him at, his answer was short and simple.
“As an athlete,’’ he said. ”I felt comfortable playing multiple positions and we’ll eventually decide.’’
Enough said.
Cromwell recently signed a National Letter of Intent to a full athletic scholarship to Wagner and, after satisfying his academic requirements at Port Richmond, the 18-year-old is already enrolled at the Grymes Hill school for the spring semester.
“It really didn’t matter to me which (college) level I played at, but it feels great to go Division I and I’m very excited to be playing at that level,’’ said Cromwell. ”Playing college football was always a dream of mine.’’
Cromwell said Wagner assistant coach Jim Munson initially spoke to him and eventually, he attended the Seahawks’ football camp where he got to strut his stuff in front of the coaching staff, including head coach Tom Masella.
“I was nervous and didn’t know what to expect, but I think I did great,’’ said the 2024 Fugazzi Award winner as Staten Island’s top high school football player. ”I just gave it 100 percent and I think I performed well in front of them.’’
His high school stats certainly didn’t hurt him either as he dominated on both sides of the ball for the Raiders.
On offense, he rushed for 1,189 yards, 13 touchdowns and three two-point conversions during nine PSAL games. He also passed for 322 yards and five TD passes and hauled in three passes for 45 yards and two more scores.
On defense, the senior finished with 29 tackles, four sacks, an interception, one fumble recovery and one safety.
Not too shabby.
Cromwell said Wagner’s coaching staff is impressed with his versatility.
“They like that one person can play multiple positions the way I do,’’ the 6-foot-2, 190-pound Cromwell said. ”When they asked me where I wanted to play, they thought I’d say running back, but I was thinking defense — maybe safety.
“But (coach Masella) believes in me and really thinks I can play running back,’’ the Park Hill resident added. ”So I’m going to try it out and see how it goes.
“If it doesn’t work out, for whatever reason, I can always switch to defense.’’
Cromwell rushed the ball plenty during his playing days at Port Richmond and is looking forward to continuing to learn the finer points of the position at Wagner.
“I think it’s great and I’m going to have a chance to develop at the position while attending Wagner during the spring semester,’’ Cromwell said. ”I’m going to have a chance to develop at the position during the spring semester at Wagner.’’
Cromwell is planning to major in sports management and study forensic science as a minor.
He also received an offer from American International and interest from Buffalo.