By Jerry Del Priore
New York City high school student-athletes do get selected in the NFL draft.
The latest player is Folorunso “Foley” Fatukasi, whom the New York Jets grabbed in the sixth round, the 180th-overall pick, Saturday.
Fatukasi grew up in Far Rockaway, Queens and played football at Beach Channel High School. The 6-foot-4-inch, 318-pounder will get the opportunity to vie for a spot on the Jets’ defensive line, an area that can use the help after losing Sheldon Richardson and Muhammad Wilkerson in the past year.
Fatukasi isn’t a stranger to overcoming adversity, as the family’s Far Rockway home suffered severe water damage from Hurricane Sandy. He rebounded to sign with Division I University of Connecticut, where he recorded 19 career tackles for losses with 14 sacks and four forced fumbles before landing with Gang Green.
The 23-year-old can use that same determination to make New York’s roster.
Curtis Samuel, who starred at wide receiver for Brooklyn’s Erasmus Hall High School, was the last NYC player to get drafted and is now with the NFL Carolina Panthers.
