Every kid that steps on the football field dreams of playing in the NFL.
Gavin Heslop’s dream came true after signing as an undrafted free agent with the Seattle Seahawks Saturday evening.
“This is a dream come true for me,” Heslop said in a press release. “All of the hard work over the past five years at Stony Brook has paid off. I could not be more excited for this opportunity.”
Heslop played collegiate football with the Stony Brook Seawolves and was named a team captain in 2019. The defensive back recorded 196 tackles and three-and-a-half sacks in 45 games played.
Standing at 6’1”, Heslop utilized his 32” reach and speed to take down opposing players and disrupt passes. The cornerback was active defensively despite not grabbing an interception in his career. He forced 30 incompletions throughout his four seasons at Stony Brook.
Heslop performed in front of representatives from 14 NFL teams for Stony Brook’s Pro Day on Wednesday, March 11. He ran a 4.57 in the 40-yard dash and a 34.5” vertical jump. ESPN NFL reporter Rich Cimini noted the cornerback was the biggest draw for the scouts among his teammates.
The former Seawolf stayed active throughout the COVID-19 pandemic despite not securing any private team workouts.
“I’ve just been training and getting myself into the best shape I could due to these unforeseen circumstances,” Heslop said prior to the NFL Draft. “I have not been able to attend any private workouts or local days. I’ve just been training and getting myself into the best shape I could waiting for my shot to play in the NFL.”
Heslop credited being a Seawolf for creating the mental intensity he brings to the gridiron.
“I learned how to be mentally tough at Stony Brook,” Heslop said. “Mental toughness has helped my preparation for the next level by being able to persevere throughout this process. Although I am living out a dream, it hasn’t been easy. The grind is real and it takes the right mentality to be able to face adversity, having faith and not taking ‘no’ for an answer.
Heslop started his final 37 games as a defensive back and earned All-Colonial Athletic Association honors in his final two seasons. He was one pass-broken-up short of tying a program single season in 2017, finishing with 11 on the season.
Stony Brook has sent 14 players to NFL training camps in the last three seasons.
