Groton’s Carmelo Riley-Israel to play football at Hilbert

Every year, Tompkins County is well-represented in the college football scene. That impressive trend will continue this fall, as one Groton native will take his talents to Western New York.

Carmelo-Riley Israel will play at Hilbert College as a defensive end. He was looking at a myriad of schools throughout New York, but Riley-Israel felt like he could make a real impact at one of the youngest programs in the state.

“[Head] coach [Ted] Egger was like, ‘Hey, you’re really explosive. You’re really lengthy. We can really use you and build you here at helper,’” Riley-Israel said. “It looked like I could maybe see time as a freshman there, so I was definitely gonna try to go there. And then I’m talking to everyone that’s visited there, and they’re like, ‘That’s a top-notch school. They’re gonna be up there in a couple years. You gotta give them time.’”

Located 20 minutes south of Buffalo, Hilbert’s football team has only been in existence for three years and has yet to win a game. As new members of the Liberty League this upcoming season—which includes hosting Ithaca College on October 20—the Hawks will aim to keep building up with a new crop of talent.

“I’m going to help them by just giving them speed that they want, length on the outside, playing defensive end for them,” Riley-Israel said. “I’m just going to always give 100 percent every practice, every play, every weight room rep. 100 percent.”

Riley-Israel won’t be the only Tompkins County player as part of the incoming freshman class. The Dryden duo of Hunter Covington and Chase Lopinto will also suit up for the Hawks. For Riley-Israel, it goes to show how underrated the county is when it comes to producing future college football players.

“Everyone says, ‘Oh, Tompkins County is small. You’re not going to get looked at,’” Riley-Israel said. “No, you’re going to get looked at. You got to put your work in. You can’t rely on the area to get you exposure. You’ve got to work… People want to win around here, and we don’t get enough [respect]. I think we’re slept on in the Tompkins County area. I really do.”

With Riley-Israel having played eight-man football during his two varsity years with the Red Hawks, it will be a challenge to transition to the traditional 11-man game. But it’s a test he’s ready to take head-on.

“I think it’s going to be very hard only because I’m used to two guards,” Riley-Israel said. “Now we’re moving on to four or five on the line, so it’s going to be hard knowing, ‘Oh, where am I going to line up at?’ But that’s going to be a change that the coaches there are going to help me [with], and I believe it’s going to be a successful change for me.”

Speaking of coaches, Riley-Israel gave plenty of praise to the Groton coaching staff that has helped him develop his game. 

“Coach [Nick] Dyson has impacted my career tremendously,” Riley-Israel said. “I want to give him a huge shout out. Every time I’ve needed something football-wise, he’s got me. Every time I’m running late, he understands. That man is a very, very great coach, and I’m looking forward to what he does for the Groton program next year in 11-man.” 

Riley-Israel also lauded assistant coach Mick LeVick when he went through some adversity. After dislocating his shoulder in a Week 3 game against Greene this fall, LeVick left the game to take him to the hospital and continued to check up on him. Riley-Israel made his return to the turf in the Section IV semifinal against Moravia, and he credited LeVick for boosting him to keep wanting to play football.

Another person who has had a tremendous impact on Riley-Israel is his oldest brother Omari. In fact, Carmelo wanted to play defensive end after seeing Omari make a chasedown tackle on Lansing’s Carson Crandall during his senior season in 2021. He also wore the number 88 during his own senior season just like Omari.

Omari went on to play one year of football at Hartwick College. He’s given Carmelo plenty of advice as he gets set to join the college ranks.

“He tells me to get in the weight room constantly, every day, constantly emphasizing that,” Riley-Israel said. “He’s constantly telling me to get motions down, good D-end motions, move around, get mobilized, try to talk to teammates, get a bond early, just like little things.”

Much like how his brother inspired him to play in college, Riley-Israel hopes that he can make the same impact on the next generation of Groton football players.

“I want to be known at Groton as, ‘Oh, this kid went this far, so now you guys can do that too,’” Riley-Israel said. “That’s all. I want to be a role model for my school. That’s what I want to do.”