Ask East Northport’s Preston Carey how lengthy he’s cherished soccer, and he’ll let you know “since the helmet weighed me down as a 4-year-old.”
The no-nonsense, towering defensive lineman — he stands 6-foot-5 and weighs almost 300 kilos — has been the speak of the game after lately committing to the College of Georgia inside a wing of the North Shore’s lavish Oheka Citadel, crammed to the brim with a number of hundred of his diehard followers.
“I had a full scholarship offer from Georgia since eighth grade — and I believe another five other schools at the time. I would go to college football camps at that point, and just dominate ninth- to 12th-grade talent,” the soon-to-be Bulldog advised The Put up.
“Georgia believed in me since Day 1. … I was looking for the next big step, and Georgia was 100 percent that next big step,” added the 18-year-old, who narrowed his 50-something provides to UGA, Florida, Auburn and Rutgers.
The massive man, who stated his favourite a part of soccer is “the aggression … and dominating your opponent,” added that his life’s M.O. is undertaking problem after problem to achieve that subsequent degree.
Carey began on varsity as a freshman for prestigious St. Anthony’s Excessive College and led the Friars to a 27-20 state-title win over Buffalo’s St. Francis Excessive College in 2022.
He credit the strict however caring South Huntington Catholic academy for giving him “a great base” of self-discipline and motivation each on and off the sphere, as St. Anthony’s college students are held to a better normal than most.
“A passing grade there is a 75, not 65 — so you have to be locked in for every class,” Carey stated.
“It definitely builds callus.”
Stunt on ’em
After two years, Carey took his skills to the distinguished IMG Academy in Florida, which has produced NFL expertise equivalent to Giants offensive lineman Evan Neal and Jets security Andre Cisco — a Lengthy Islander who additionally performed at St. Anthony’s earlier than transferring to the Sunshine State faculty.
“It was easy for me. I would pack a bag up and go anywhere if it was beneficial for my career,” stated Carey, who considers himself a Friar alumnus after “a great two years.”
“When that came about, it was just a ‘yes’ for me, no matter what. Thinking about who I was leaving behind, everything else was an afterthought. … It was a business decision.”
Carey quickly soared with the IMG nationwide group and developed a powerful social media presence with a number of thousand followers conserving tabs on the younger man’s belligerent fashion of play.
He has yet one more fall season at IMG earlier than redshirting for Georgia in December at playoff time.
All through his recruiting course of, Carey stated he’s been in fixed communication with Georgia defensive position coach Tray Scott, who has already been passing on recommendation to the teen.
“He keeps it real 100 percent through and through, and tells me what I do best and what I need to do better — and what it takes to get to that level of becoming one of those first-rounders,” Carey stated.
Acquired that dawg in him
Like different years, Carey is spending his summer season mornings — 6 a.m. sharp — at Peak Coaching System in Deer Park beneath the tutelage of Golden Ukonu, an offensive lineman who signed as an undrafted free agent with the Tennessee Titans in 2016.
After 5 hours within the take-no-prisoners health club he has skilled at since center faculty, Carey throws on gloves for MMA and boxing coaching.
“As a defensive lineman, you’re basically boxing. You’re using your hands to fight,” he stated. “Lots of hand-eye coordination, lots of quick feet.”
Relating to psychological preparation, Carey is conserving targeted on being one of the best soccer participant he will be, however can also be obsessed with NIL alternatives — particularly as a solution to give again to his household for its relentless assist of his dream.
Nonetheless, the considered prospectively showing within the online game “NCAA Football 27” places a smile on his face.
“It’s gonna be crazy,” Carey stated. “It’s all a blessing.”
He’s wanting to make use of his time within the SEC for a good greater achievement in listening to his title referred to as on the NFL draft some years from now.
“It’s a goal, not a dream,” he stated, “because I’m working toward it every day.”
