Newsday
Growing up a Syracuse football fan on Long Island (Middle Island, NY), offensive lineman Omari Palmer has been waiting to wear a block “S” on his helmet for a long time. The first time he talked to SU coaches during his recruiting process, the big fella was so giddy he could barley hold in his excitement.
¬†“I guess I wasn’t good at hiding my emotions. They knew they got me the first day they talked to me. When I walked into my athletic director’s office and saw Syracuse I lit up. I was like a little kid in a candy shop: I was happy, smiling, giggling.”¬†
Palmer was courted by Big East rivals Rutgers and UConn, as well as Temple and Stanford. But Omari had his sights on playing in the Dome from the start.
He was one of the earliest recruits to verbally commit to Syracuse back in March, and never really considered any other schools. What does OP think his greatest strength is?
“Adaptation, because not every situation works out as perfectly planned. You got to change to what is going on the field. The d-lineman moving, a linebacker who is coming on a blitz or me pulling when I see it. So I will say my greatest strength would be adopting to what is going on out on the field.”
Omari’s prep football career may be over, but he is still not done with his athletic accomplishments at Longwood High School are not done. Palmer is a wrestler and he thinks roughing people up on the mats helps improve his football game.
“Wrestling helps a lot. It keeps you aggressive without a doubt and keeps you and great shape. Hand fighting is really excellent for just blocking a defensive lineman, fighting for the inside control and the movement is really good also.”
Posted: Dave Van Moffaert
