The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Chasing the dream
New Fairfield’s Ceresna ready to go to work at Giants’ camp
Of the 1,696 players who started last season on an NFL roster, just 12 were from Division III colleges.
When that cutdown process concludes for 2019, a local product hopes to add to that tally while continuing to defy the odds. For New Fairfield product Jake Ceresna, reporting to New York Giants camp Monday was another step in what hopes to be a dream come true in making an NFL roster.
Ceresna, who just turned 25, inked a deal with the Giants in December after attending a team workout. He spent the previous two seasons in the CFL with the Ottawa Redblacks and Edmonton Eskimos, but had one more chance to reach the big stage.
“I’m definitely excited for the opportunity,” said Ceresna by phone from Giants camp Monday. “The nerves are always running when something like this happens. I just want to make sure I play at my best and give it everything I have.”
Camp officially started Wednesday for Ceresna and his Giants teammates, but in getting this far he’s made a statement. The former Rebels standout first attended Division II Southern Connecticut before transferring to Division III Cortland State.
2018 was his comingout party at the professional level. In 18 games for Edmonton, Ceresna notched eight sacks and a forced fumble. He was traded from Ottawa the previous season; he’s spent half the year in Canada and half at home in New Fairfield. He trains out of Varsity House Gym in Orangeburg, New York.
The Eskimos released the 6foot5, 295pound defensive lineman from his contract to allow him to sign with the Giants. Whatever happens in the next several weeks for Ceresna, he hopes to continue his playing career.
“After I had a good season in the CFL I was expecting to get a few NFL workout invites, but I wasn’t getting any calls,” Ceresna said. “Finally the Giants reached out to me to work out. … I went to the facility and gave it everything I had. I told myself no regrets.”
Giving it everything he’s had is how Ceresna has reached this point. Other coaches — and Ceresna himself — have described him as relentless, a trait
that is evident in his pass rushing.
“I feel like I’m relentless,” Ceresna said “If I could describe myself in one word it would be that; I might not have the best moves or be the fastest but I’m attacking from the first play to the last. I’m always going and will never stop.”
He was named first team AllSWC in 2011 for New Fairfield before tallying 14.5 sacks and 142 tackles in three seasons at Cortland State. He received a slew of honors there, and following graduation signed a deal with the Jets.
Ceresna was in camp for
the Jets for two weeks in 2016, but a high ankle sprain ended any hopes of competing for a spot on the roster. He hopes that brief taste will pay dividends this time around.
“I think my past experience is going to help me,” Ceresna said. “I have a good idea of how camp goes; I’m just looking forward to getting on the field and start playing again. With camp you can control what you can control, you just have to put your best on the field.”
Because of recent rules changes, 90man rosters before preseason are cut to
53 in one sequence, giving Ceresna extra time to impress through all four preseason games.
The support received from his hometown has been tremendous, he added.
“I’ve had a ton of support from New Fairfield,” Ceresna said. “It’s been incredible; all my friends are excited and keep checking up on me. Everyone wants to go to (preseason games). It’s just nice to feel that and know that a lot of people are rooting for you.”