North Carolina State University Athletics
Senior Spotlight: OL Ali Kassem
10/22/2014 12:00:00 AM | Football
RALEIGH, N.C. - Senior Ali Kassem’s journey is one that has taken him to several stops along the way, but the Cincinnati, Ohio, native has found his home as part of the NC State football team for the past two seasons.
Out of high school, Kassem earned a scholarship to Western Michigan where he played one season before deciding to transfer. He eventually ended up at ASA Community College in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he enjoyed a strong season and saw his stock rise after helping the Avengers to a 9-1 record in 2012.
Kassem was a late commit for the Wolfpack, as he sent offensive line coach Mike Uremovich a film shortly after the coaching staff was hired at NC State in 2013. He joined the Wolfpack program during the summer of 2013.
“I contacted Coach Uremovich and sent him a film of myself playing at ASA,” Kassem said. “He told me that he liked the film and the next week he came to visit me in New York. I ended up taking an official visit here a couple weeks later and they offered a scholarship.”
The Ohio native credits the coaching staff for his reason of choosing NC State. He was impressed with the excitement and energy they bring to the football field every day in practice, as well as on Saturdays.
“The coaches really care about the players and are looking out for the best interest of the players in the program,” Kassem said
Kassem has seen game action in every game he has played for NC State the past two seasons primarily on the special teams unit. He knows his role for the team and is willing to do whatever it takes for the Wolfpack to succeed.
“I understand the type of role I play on the team is mostly on special teams and I take pride in that,” Kassem stated.
Kassem’s first year of playing football was his freshman season at Moeller High School. However, he said he first became interested in the sport after meeting the coach at the middle school he attended, who knew Kassem from attending the same Catholic parish church.
“He thought I would be a good football player, since I was pretty big,” Kassem said. “He brought me along and tried to teach me as much as he could.”
Kassem helped Moeller achieve a 30-12 overall record throughout his four seasons playing, including a pair of nine-win campaigns. His senior season saw the Ohio native named to the All-Greater Catholic League.
During his time at NC State, Kassem says that he has been impressed by the energy of the fan base and the pride the fans have in being apart of Wolfpack Nation.
“I just love the atmosphere,” Kassem said. “It’s a true college campus and a true football school. When we come in on the bus for the games, we see so many fans in the parking lots and so much pride in NC State.”
Throughout fall camp and during the early part of the season, the NC State offensive line has been praised for the depth along the front. According to Kassem, that depth has been key to helping the Wolfpack to a 4-0 start to the season and has helped keep the line fresh throughout practices and games.
In addition, the line is now in its second season under the guidance of Coach Uremovich and Kassem says the team has a better understanding of their assignments, technique and the offensive system as a whole.
“We have more guys that can contribute to the lineup,” Kassem said. “Last year, the guys on the offensive line were playing the entire game and this year we’re rotating in several of the younger guys as well.”
In NC State’s 49-17 victory at South Florida, Kassem says that the entire offense seemed to click and he is excited to see what it can do for the remainder of the season.
“We executed and had very few missed assignments, Kassem said. It was exciting to see our offense play that well.”
Now in his senior season with the Wolfpack, Kassem wants to have the opportunity to play in a bowl game on the Division I level and to lay a foundation to help build a championship level program.
“I’ve never been to a bowl game except with my junior college which wasn’t a very big bowl game,” Kassem said. “The biggest goal for me is to have the opportunity to go to a bowl game this year and help build this program.”
Outside of football, Kassem enjoys fishing and spending time outdoors, a hobby he picked up from his youth days spent in the state of Florida.
After his football career is complete this season, Kassem will use his degree in accounting and eventually become CPA certified.
“I have an Associates Degree in accounting from my time at ASA, so I plan to go on and get a Bachelor’s and then possibly a Master’s as well,” Kassem said.
“I ended up getting a 3.6 GPA throughout the two summer sessions. I’m pretty proud of the work I put in toward that. I have to have a 3.0 GPA to get into the College of Poole and that’s helping me toward my goal.”
For now, Kassem is helping his team in any way he can and is hoping to enjoy every moment that remains of his senior season.
“It’s the best feeling in the world, when the smoke comes up and the stadium is shaking as we’re running out onto the field. I want to cherish all of those moments from here.”
