Ithaca football player is first to go to NFL draft in over 50 years

ITHACA (WBNG) - Following a minicamp invitation, the Indianapolis Colts announced the signing of former Ithaca College free safety Derek Slywka. After going undrafted in April’s NFL Draft, Derek Slywka received his third look from an NFL team following rookie minicamp invites to the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers. The Colts were short at depth in the secondary, so they decided to take a chance on D3football.com’s Region 2 Defensive Player of the Year. Slywka believes Ithaca’s football training program is the reason he has received this opportunity.

“Just buying into the training program they were giving us in the summers and the springs,” said Slywka. “And really just putting my head down and grinding. I think that’s kind of what allowed me to have this opportunity and have that door open up when I got done with my career at Ithaca.”

Slywka put together one of the most productive seasons in 2023 for the Bombers as he was named an All-American by D3football.com, AFCA, and Associated Press. Ithaca Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator Michael Toerper spoke about Slywka’s motor and work ethic.

“He’s tireless,” said Toerper. “He’s obsessed with the process, and I’m just so proud of him. I’m not surprised, but I’m really excited for him because he’s put a ton of work in, and it’s not the easiest to get this type of attention at the Division III level, but you’ve got to be dominant to do so.”

Slywka finished the 2023 season with six interceptions and logged 51 total tackles at his free safety position. However, Slywka will move to the other side of the ball and play wide receiver when he returns to Indianapolis for training camp. Slywka had this to say about the transition between positions.

“I hadn’t played it since my freshman year of high school,” said Slywka. “So, I was just going out there and my mindset was just to show my athleticism, and then I now I’ve got a chance, these last six weeks, to dial in on the receiver stuff.”

Although he went undrafted, Coach Toerper added his expectations of Slywka potentially making the final roster.

“Now he knows he belongs, and now he’s going to outwork everybody,” said Toerper. “So, I’m not going to be surprised when he eventually makes the team and makes a major impact in the NFL.”

Slywka will be just the third Ithaca College graduate to play in the NFL, and the first since 1967.