Super 11: Treasure Coast safety Shamir Sterlin is Titan Born, Titan Bred to the core
Tasked with guarding American Heritage and now Ohio State freshman wide receiver Brandon Inniss, Sterlin took his lumps but realized that he could get to that level one day if he put the work in.
"I realized that it's not too far away, if keep pushing myself that that could be me," said Sterlin when remembering the experience. "He was older than me, he was good for the right now, that doesn't mean I can't get up to that level right now."
Treasure Coast defensive back Shamir Sterlin's first varsity football game was memorable and gave him a taste of what big-time football feels like.
The 6-foot-2, 185-pound Sterlin brings the entire package from cover skills to run support with his hitting prowess and lands on TCPalm's Super 11 list of the area's top senior college football prospects.
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A Titan lifer
Sterlin hung around practices at Treasure Coast often as a youngster, watching his older brother Steve.
Titan head coach Irvin Jones still remembers a young, wide-eyed Shamir being around the team when Jones was an assistant and has seen the growth year after year from Sterlin within the program.
"There’d be times Steve would bring Sterlin and he’d stand next to me in practice so he’s been around the program for a while," Jones said. "He understands the program, he truly is Titan Born, Titan Bred, he’s very strong academically and he really is another coach on the field knowing the coverages on the back end."
Being thrown into the fire as a sophomore, Sterlin only gained more confidence in himself with each game and as a junior, he took off with his production.
Making 82 tackles primarily at safety, Sterlin had two interceptions and forced fumbles all while being tested with the incredibly strong schedule Treasure Coast faced in 2022.
The next chapter
College interest took off for Sterlin from the spring to the summer as he picked off offers from several Division I programs going on the Treasure Coast Elite bus tour.
However, Sterlin's most recent offer was one that really made him think hard about going ahead and shutting down his recruitment.
Northern Illinois presented him an offer two weeks ago and Sterlin took a trip up to see the facilities and came away impressed.
After pondering his options that included Louisiana and Western Kentucky who showed the most interest in Sterlin, the Treasure Coast star decided that committing to the Huskies felt right.
Making his declaration Sunday, Sterlin cited the total package on and off the field Northern Illinois he believes will offer him for his short-term and long-term goals.
"Their defensive coordinator (Nick Benedetto) will also be my position coach and I'm in a spot where I know they could build a defense around me," Sterlin said. "I know I'd be able to shine in their defense. The head coach (Thomas Hammock) was with the Baltimore Ravens, the strength and conditioning coach was also with the Ravens so I'll be around people that know what it takes to get to the NFL."
"NIU is also a top academic school, my GPA is a 4.8, I've almost got my AA already. I took all of that into consideration and this is where me and my family wanted me to be."
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Super 11: Treasure Coast's Shamir Sterlin is a homegrown talent on the rise
