AUBURN, Ala. – For senior wide receiver Sal Cannella, hard work is both a trait and a necessity.
Cannella grew up in Chicago and was a high-level AAU basketball for the majority of his time in middle and high school. It wasn't until his junior and senior years at St. Viator High School that he began playing football competitively. By that time, it was too late to pique the interest of schools as no scholarship offers came his way for football.
However, Cannella visited Scottsdale Community College in Arizona during his senior year, and that trip ultimately led to a preferred walk-on spot on their roster.
"I literally sent letters to every program in the country," he said. "The only two that got back were community colleges in Arizona, so I took the best opportunity and was ready to put the work in."
The first year Cannella was grey-shirted, which means he was a part-time student who could practice with the team. It wasn't until the next year when he played a full season that he started to get recognized on a national stage. He earned First Team All-WSFL/ACCAC honors at tight end that season.
So what drew the Chicago native to Auburn?
"Honestly, the town just felt different," Cannella said. "Everything that was done here was the most professional, the most put together. They were just about business."
As someone who had to work twice as hard to reach the Division I level, Auburn's emphasis on hard work also drew Canella to the Plains.
"I've never experienced a town that really loves college sports as much as here," he said. "But I also love how they hold you to a standard here. If we're not winning, they let us know."
It is not lost on Cannella how motivating his story is. He has set an example for other players in his situation that shows there is no end to what can be accomplished with determination and effort. Now, as a senior, he knows that he can also use his experiences to help the underclassmen at Auburn.
"You've got to be a leader," Cannella said. "You've got to be a leader to the young guys who are like you used to be because they don't have the mental strength under control yet. I can help them with that."
When he's through at Auburn, Cannella wants to continue playing football in the NFL. However, there are other interests off the field that he would like to pursue long-term for a career as well. He's a fashion design major and has expressed interest in one day owning and designing his own fashion line.
"I mean Salvatore Cannella is just too good a name to pass up," he joked. "Auburn's program has taught me so much about the industry, so I am ahead of the game when coming out of school."
Cannella also has a passion for personal training and says he already helps out some of his friends with their workout regiments.
"I tell them to bring it to me for help," he said. "But I tell them only if they are 100 percent (dedicated)."
As he looks ahead to the upcoming season, Cannella sees bright things in this team's future -- specifically in the wide receiver room where he's joined by the likes of Seth Williams, Anthony Schwartz, Eli Stove and Will Hastings among others.
"The amount of threats we have everywhere is crazy," he said. "We've got receivers that are big and can go up and get the ball, and we've got receivers with elite speed and unreal shiftiness."
Cannella and Hastings are the only two scholarship seniors in the room and relishing in that new challenge of being one of the senior leaders, Cannella has some advice for the younger players who might be fighting for playing time this coming season. After all, he's been through it all to get to where he is now.
"Work as hard you can and trust the process," Cannella said. "I know people say that all the time, but you need to know your time will come. Trust God, trust the process and never stop working."