By Joseph Staszewski
Ahmed Bah has another place to call home.
The former Holy Cross wide receiver and Clinton Hills native has returned to Brooklyn for his senior season. The 6-foot-4, 185-pound Rutgers commit transferred to Holy Cross from Xaverian after his freshman year and is now at Grand Street for his senior season after two years with the Knights. Last year was his first at the varsity level. Paying to go to Holy Cross became tougher, according to Bah.
“My parents couldn’t afford the tuition after a while,” Bah said. “I always wanted to come here. I was comfortable with the players, so I made the decision to come here and play with my friends.”
Bah was a productive player for Holy Cross last season and one of its top receivers alongside Paul Yodice. He had 23 catches for 387 yards and six touchdowns in nine games and became the team’s deep threat. He expects to see even more balls come his way in a pass-first Grand Street attack. The Wolves reached the PSAL City Conference semifinals for the first time in program history.
“They have me running different routes, playing inside, playing slot,” Bah said. “I was always used to playing outside.”
Playing alongside fellow Rutgers-bound receiver Taysir Mack will make life a little easier on him. Mack will likely get the bulk of the defensive attention, giving Bah more of a chance to operate. Learning the Wolves system didn’t come easy, but Bah feels much more comfortable now. “He’s adjusted quickly,” Grand Street coach Bruce Eugene said.
He will have a different school next season as well when he heads to Rutgers to play in the Big Ten. The Scarlet Knights offered him a scholarship as a sophomore and he built a strong bond with the coaches, especially receivers coach Anthony Campanile. Bah is also close with former Erasmus Hall star and Rutgers linebacker Deonte Roberts. “He was a big part of me going there too,” Bah said of Roberts.
But before he heads to Rutgers, Bah is looking forward to winning games alongside Mack.
“If they double team one of us, somebody is going to be wide open,” Bah said. “It makes it harder for the defense.”
