Syosset Athlete Impresses NFL Mentor, Coaches

This story was posted by Heather Doyle. It was written and reported by Jake Asman.

Cameron Biegel walked off the field at Great Neck North High School with a big smile on his face.

Syosset’s JV “B” team has never won more than a single game in a season, but that all changed after Biegel had just thrown five touchdown passes to lead Syosset’s JV “B” team to their second win of the season.

“He was big for us this past season,” JV “B” coach John Calabria said. “His growth was evident as a quarterback as the season went on. He has a very nice future in the program.”

Calabria also spoke about Biegel’s leadership abilities and how the team respected the way Biegel conducted himself.

“He’s a leader and his teammates really respected him,” Calabria said. “That’s one of the things you need to have in order to be a successful quarterback.”

Though just a ninth grader, Biegel has incredibly high expectations for himself as a quarterback going forward through the Syosset program.

“Playing quarterback is a very big responsibility,” Biegel said. “From the days of playing on the turf on Sunday mornings, to the long summers of hard work. The goal has always been to be playing on Saturday afternoons, on that field with all the bleachers and the band behind you. That’s the goal and that’s the dream that you set out for.”

Biegel’s relentless work ethic is nothing short of extraordinary. Every day after school Biegel balances school work, after school clubs, and sports with his continued training with former Oceanside High School and former New York Jet and Miami Dolphin star Quarterback Jay Fiedler.

“I am very fortunate to be able to have an opportunity to be working with him,” Biegel said. “He has really helped me with my drop back and that is really where it all starts.”

Biegel spoke about Fiedler’s impact on his quarterback mechanics.

“He’s really perfecting the angle on where I throw from. With the hard work I am doing with him, I am working on perfecting my throwing motion.”

Biegel’s work with Fiedler is a testament to how greatly he wants to improve as a quarterback. Fiedler spoke about Biegel’s great ability and potential going forward.

“As a quarterback, he throws the ball with excellent touch and accuracy and has a good sense of when to put the right amount of pace on the football,” said Fiedler. “He can throw the ball on a line when necessary, and take something off his throws, so that it can drop between defenders or become an easier catch for his receivers.” 

Fiedler, who has been around great coaching his entire life, sees the value in what a great teacher and coach can do to a player.

“In my 10 years at the NFL level, I have been fortunate enough to play for and learn from some of the best offensive coaches in the sport,” he said. “I have been tutored by Jon Gruden, Tom Coughlin, Brian Billick, Norv Turner, Chan Gailey, Bobby Petrino, and Mike Heimerdinger, along with many other great coaches throughout my career. Having worked with so many great coaches and learned many types of offensive systems has given me a broad spectrum of knowledge which I can now impart on the players I work with.”

Fiedler has been working with Biegel for a number of months and spoke about the progress that has been made in the months that Biegel has been under Fiedler’s tutor-ledge.

“When Cameron first came to work with me, he threw the ball more like a baseball pitcher than a quarterback,” said Fiedler. “He took a long stride into his throws and was leaning forward at the waist during his set up and at his release.  Much of the focus with Cameron has been to get him to stand a bit more upright and to throw the ball with a more compact delivery.”

For a quarterback at any level to be successful, it always starts with the proper footwork. In addition to the work Fiedler has done with Biegel on his throwing release, Fiedler and Biegel have worked on just that.

“I have also worked with Cam and all of the other quarterbacks a great deal on their footwork,” said Fiedler.  “Quick feet, balance and proper lower body positioning are the foundation to being able to throw the football with power and accuracy.” 

Teammates and friends of Biegel all spoke about how great of a person Biegel was to anyone that he interacts with. After working with Biegel, Fiedler echoed those same sentiments.

“Cameron is an outstanding young man,” Fiedler said. “He is extremely attentive with a willingness and capacity to learn.  He carries himself with humility and class.  It has been a real pleasure working with Cam over the past few months.”

For Biegel, the dream to play Varsity quarterback on Saturday afternoons in Syosset may in fact become a reality.