Like many others, C-NS quarterback JJ Razmovski has little time to impress college coaches

JJ Razmovski receives a snap and postures to throw the ball. For a moment, his blue jersey and helmet disappear behind a swarm of crashing linemen. Then he explodes out of the pocket and past several defenders before being tackled out of bounds. Without throwing the ball, he's quarterbacked another successful play for the Cicero-North Syracuse football team. That was last season. This season -- which will be defined by Covid protocols and shuffled opponents -- starts Friday, more than a year since the last time Razmovski took a snap in Dick Hoover Stadium. The senior quarterback returns with something to prove ... and with only five games to do it. Zero stars from recruiting services, zero scholarship offers. That's how he described his prospects heading into the final season of his high school career. He has offers to play college football at lower levels, but Razmovski is looking for more. He's not alone. Because the fall season was canceled, seniors from all over Central New York are making a last-ditch effort to impress college coaches this spring. "I've been playing since I was 5 years old, so it's the only thing I really love to do," said Razmovski. "I could never imagine life without being on a football field." Razmovski led the Northstars to the state semifinals and was named to the All-CNY second-team in 2019. Coach Dave Kline says his quarterback is the type of player any coach would be lucky to have on their team. Razmovski's understanding of the game and ability to read the field make him a good quarterback, and his desire to do whatever it takes to be the best player on the field proves he has a work ethic worthy of a college roster. His passion for the game is unmatched. "He has an absolute love of the game of football," said Kline. "I've had guys that loved it over the years, I have guys that love it now. But he truly loves the sport and would do anything to play." C-NS has one of the top football programs in the state, so it seems like Razmovski would be on a lot of schools' shortlists. But at 5-foot-11 -- or 6-feet, depending on the recruiting site -- Razmovski and Kline feel like his talents may have been overlooked. It's a measurable thing, and when college coaches have a certain idea of what they want, it's difficult to change their minds. Concerns about his height don't bother Razmovski. Rather than dwelling, he takes what people say and turns it into fuel. He says the training he does to stay in shape and earn a spot on the team wouldn't change if he was shorter or taller. What about the coaches that tell him he's simply too short for their team? "I'll just smile and say thank you," said Razmovski. "I want to play for a coach who accepts me for me and likes everything I bring to the table. I think I can compete with anyone in the country, and that's going to be my mindset no matter what." Razmovski wants, more than anything right now, to play football for the coach that decides to take a chance on him. But whether or not he fulfills his dreams of playing college ball, he does plan for football to be a part of his life for as long as possible. Once his playing days are done, he wants to be like Kline and inspire kids as a coach. "I'm not too worried about myself making it to the biggest stage if I can't. If I'm not the one from Syracuse to make it where other guys from here have, I want to make sure that these younger kids have a chance to do that."

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THE OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE OF THE CICERO-NORTH SYRACUSE NORTHSTARS

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