Gavin Heslop
{{Short description|American football player (born 1997)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2019}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Gavin Heslop
| image =
| image_size =
| caption =
| current_team =
| number =
| position = Cornerback
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1997|11|13|mf=y}}
| birth_place = Yonkers, New York, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 0
| weight_lbs = 197
| high_school = Archbishop Stepinac
(White Plains, New York)
| college = Stony Brook (2015–2019)
| undraftedyear = 2020
| pastteams =
- Seattle Seahawks ({{NFL Year|2020}}–{{NFL Year|2021}})
- New York Giants ({{NFL Year|2022}})*
- Carolina Panthers ({{NFL Year|2022}})*
- Cleveland Browns ({{NFL Year|2023}})*
- Houston Roughnecks ({{XFL Year|2024}})*
- San Antonio Brahmas ({{UFL Year|2024}})
- Ottawa Redblacks ({{CFL Year|2025}})*
| status =
| highlights =
- Second-team All-CAA (2018)
- Third-team All-CAA (2019)
| pfr = HeslGa00
| statlabel1 = Games played
| statvalue1 = 3
| statlabel2 = Total tackles
| statvalue2 = 1
}}
Gavin Heslop (born November 13, 1997) is an American professional football cornerback. He was most recently a member of the Ottawa Redblacks of the Canadian Football League (CFL). Heslop played college football at Stony Brook.
Early life
Heslop was born in Yonkers, New York. He attended Archbishop Stepinac High School in White Plains, New York, the same high school as his future college teammates including quarterback Tyquell Fields and cornerback TJ Morrison.{{Cite web|title=Lifelong Friends and Teammates Lead Stony Brook's Cornerbacks|url=https://stonybrookathletics.com/news/2019/8/12/football-lifelong-friends-and-teammates-lead-stony-brooks-cornerbacks.aspx|access-date=2020-08-16|website=Stony Brook University Athletics|language=en}} Heslop was named to the NYSSWA First-team All-New York State, as well as the USA Today All-New York team.{{Cite web|title=Stony Brook announces 2015 recruiting class|url=https://stonybrookathletics.com/news/2015/2/4/Stony_Brook_announces_2015_recruiting_class.aspx|access-date=2020-08-16|website=Stony Brook University Athletics|language=en}} Heslop played a large role in Stepinac's 2014 CHSFL AAA championship team, the school's first since 1955, recording 60 tackles, three interceptions and three sacks a senior while rushing for 440 yards and six touchdowns.{{Cite web|last=Rapay|first=Eugene|title=Former Stepinac star Gavin Heslop signs with Seattle Seahawks|url=https://www.lohud.com/story/sports/nfl/2020/04/27/former-stepinac-star-yonkers-native-gavin-heslop-signs-seahawks/3033915001/|access-date=2020-08-16|website=The Journal News|language=en-US}} In 2014, Heslop also had a 68-yard interception returned for a touchdown to help Stepinac defeat rival St. Anthony's High School for the first time since 1983.{{Cite web|title=Stepinac Beats St. Anthony's for First Time Since 1983, Stays Undefeated|url=https://www.theexaminernews.com/stepinac-beats-st-anthonys-for-first-time-since-1983-stays-undefeated/|access-date=2020-08-20|website=theexaminernews.com}}
College career
Heslop redshirted during the 2015 season.{{Cite web|title=Gavin Heslop - Football|url=https://stonybrookathletics.com/sports/football/roster/gavin-heslop/6030|access-date=2020-08-20|website=Stony Brook University Athletics|language=en}} During his freshman season in 2016, he played in eight games and recorded 13 total tackles. In his college debut on September 1 against No. 19 North Dakota, Heslop blocked a punt in the fourth quarter that was returned for a touchdown, giving Stony Brook the 13–9 victory.{{Cite web|title=North Dakota upset on the road at Stony Brook|url=https://www.valleynewslive.com/content/sports/North-Dakota-upset-on-the-road-at-Stony-Brook-392106601.html|access-date=2020-08-20|website=ValleyNewsLive.com}} Heslop also recorded six tackles in a 42–14 upset of No. 2 Richmond.
In his 2017 sophomore season, Heslop started all 13 games at cornerback. He set career highs with 72 tackles, including 8.5 tackles for loss. Heslop recorded his first career sack and forced fumble on October 14 against No. 12 New Hampshire.{{Cite web|title=Seawolves take down No.12 New Hampshire behind big second half|url=https://stonybrookathletics.com/news/2017/10/14/football-seawolves-take-down-no-12-new-hampshire-behind-big-second-half.aspx|access-date=2020-08-20|website=Stony Brook University Athletics|language=en}} Heslop recorded a career-high 12 tackles in a 59–29 victory over Lehigh in the first round of the 2017 FCS Playoffs.{{Cite web|title=Seawolves run over Lehigh to advance in 2017 NCAA Division I Football Championship|url=https://stonybrookathletics.com/news/2017/11/25/seawolves-run-over-lehigh-to-advance-in-2017-ncaa-division-i-football-championship.aspx|access-date=2020-08-20|website=Stony Brook University Athletics|language=en}} The following week against James Madison in the second round, Heslop recorded another 10 tackles in a 26–7 loss.{{Cite web|title=Seawolves' season comes to a close at JMU in second round of FCS Playoffs|url=https://stonybrookathletics.com/news/2017/12/2/football-seawolves-season-comes-to-a-close-at-jmu-in-second-round-of-fcs-playoffs.aspx|access-date=2020-08-20|website=Stony Brook University Athletics|language=en}}
Heslop again started all 12 games at cornerback as a junior in 2018. He was named to the Second-team All-Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) after a season with 59 tackles, 38 of which being solo tackles.{{Cite web|title=2019 Captain: Gavin Heslop|url=https://stonybrookathletics.com/news/2019/2/26/football-2019-captain-gavin-heslop.aspx|access-date=2020-08-20|website=Stony Brook University Athletics|language=en}} On September 22 against Richmond, Heslop recovered a fumble and returned it 87 yards for a touchdown. It was Heslop's first career touchdown and Stony Brook's first fumble recovery for a touchdown since 2016.{{Cite web|title=The Long Island Express Rolls Over Richmond in the CAA Football Opener|url=https://stonybrookathletics.com/news/2018/9/22/the-long-island-express-rolls-over-richmond-in-the-caa-football-opener.aspx|access-date=2020-08-20|website=Stony Brook University Athletics|language=en}}
Prior to his senior season, Heslop was named one of three Stony Brook team captains.{{Cite web|title=Priore Names White, Heslop and Kamara as 2019 Team Captains|url=https://stonybrookathletics.com/news/2018/11/26/football-priore-names-white-heslop-and-kamara-as-2019-team-captains.aspx|access-date=2020-08-20|website=Stony Brook University Athletics|language=en}} Heslop started all 12 games in 2019, ending his Stony Brook career having started 37 consecutive games. He was named to the Third-team All-CAA with 52 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, two blocked kicks, three forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and one fumble recovery for a touchdown.{{Cite web|title=Four Seawolves Earn All-CAA Football Honors|url=https://stonybrookathletics.com/news/2019/11/26/four-seawolves-earn-all-caa-football-honors.aspx|access-date=2020-08-20|website=Stony Brook University Athletics|language=en}}
Professional career
{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 6
| height in = 0 3/8
| weight = 197
| dash = 4.58
| ten split = 1.53
| twenty split = 2.57
| shuttle = 4.18
| cone drill = 6.88
| vertical = 34.5
| broad ft = 10
| broad in = 7
| bench = 12
| arm span = 32
| hand span = 9 1/4
| wonderlic =
| note = All values from Pro Day{{Cite web |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=1017793&DraftYear=2020 |title=Gavin Heslop, Stony Brook, CB, 2020 NFL Draft Scout, NCAA College Football |website=draftscout.com |access-date=November 20, 2021}}
}}
=Seattle Seahawks=
==2020==
Heslop signed with the Seattle Seahawks following the 2020 NFL draft as an undrafted free agent.{{Cite web|last=Tam|first=Ethan|date=2020-04-29|title=Stony Brook DB Gavin Heslop signs with Seattle Seahawks as UDFA|url=https://www.sbstatesman.com/2020/04/29/stony-brook-db-gavin-heslop-signs-with-seattle-seahawks-as-udfa/|access-date=2020-08-20|website=The Statesman|language=en-US}} He missed most of training camp with an injury.{{Cite web|title=Seahawks Elevate S Damarious Randall, CB Gavin Heslop to Face Dolphins|url=https://www.si.com/nfl/seahawks/news/seahawks-elevate-s-damarious-randall-cb-gavin-heslop-to-face-dolphins|access-date=2020-10-03|website=SI.com|language=en}} He was waived during final roster cuts on September 5, 2020, and signed to the practice squad the next day.{{cite web|title=Seahawks Make Roster Moves To Establish Initial 53-Man Roster|url=https://www.seahawks.com/news/seahawks-make-roster-moves-to-establish-initial-53-man-roster|author=Boyle, John|website=Seahawks.com|date=September 5, 2020}}{{cite web|title=Seahawks Sign 14 Players to Practice Squad, Including LB Shaquem Griffin|url=https://www.seahawks.com/news/seahawks-sign-14-players-to-practice-squad-including-lb-shaquem-griffin|author=Boyle, John|website=Seahawks.com|date=September 6, 2020}} Heslop was elevated to the active roster on October 3 for the team's week 4 game against the Miami Dolphins, and reverted to the practice squad after the game.{{cite news |author=Boyle, John |title=Seahawks Elevate S Damarious Randall & CB Gavin Heslop From Practice Squad |url=https://www.seahawks.com/news/seahawks-elevate-s-damarious-randall-cb-gavin-heslop-from-practice-squad |website=Seahawks.com |date=October 3, 2020 |access-date=October 24, 2020}} On January 11, 2021, Heslop signed a reserve/futures contract with the Seahawks.{{cite news |author=Boyle, John |title=Seahawks Sign 12 to Reserve/Future Contracts |url=https://www.seahawks.com/news/seahawks-sign-12-to-reserve-future-contracts |website=Seahawks.com |date=January 11, 2021 |access-date=February 17, 2021}}
==2021==
In the first week of preseason during the 2021 season, Heslop played 33 snaps, including 12 on special teams.{{Cite web|date=2021-08-15|title=Good pass rush and questionable cornerbacks: What we learned from the Seahawks’ preseason loss to the Raiders|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/seahawks/good-pass-rush-and-questionable-cornerbacks-what-we-learned-from-the-seahawks-preseason-loss-to-the-raiders/|access-date=2021-08-19|website=The Seattle Times|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|last=Smith|first=Corbin K.|title=Report Card: Top Performers in Seahawks 20-7 Preseason Loss to Raiders|url=https://www.si.com/nfl/seahawks/gm-report/report-card-top-performers-in-seahawks-20-7-preseason-loss-to-raiders|access-date=2021-08-19|website=Sports Illustrated Seattle Seahawks News, Analysis and More|language=en}} He was waived on August 31, 2021 and re-signed to the practice squad.{{cite web|title=Seahawks Reduce Roster To 52 Players|url=https://www.seahawks.com/news/seahawks-reduce-roster-to-52-players|author=Boyle, John|website=Seahawks.com|date=August 31, 2021}}{{cite web|title=Seahawks Place Three On Injured Reserve; Add Blessuan Austin, Penny Hart & John Reid To 53-Man Roster|url=https://www.seahawks.com/news/seahawks-place-three-on-injured-reserve-add-blessuan-austin-penny-hart-john-reid|author=Boyle, John|website=Seahawks.com|date=September 7, 2021}} Heslop was elevated to the active roster on November 20 and made his NFL debut on November 21 against the Arizona Cardinals, playing four snaps on special teams.{{Cite web|title=Seahawks Elevate CB Gavin Heslop From Practice Squad|url=https://www.seahawks.com/news/seahawks-elevate-cb-gavin-heslop-from-practice-squad|access-date=2021-11-24|website=www.seahawks.com|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|last=Gilbert|first=John P.|date=2021-11-20|title=Seahawks elevate Gavin Heslop from practice squad|url=https://www.fieldgulls.com/2021/11/20/22792981/seattle-seahawks-elevate-gavin-heslop-practice-squad-arizona-cardinals-cody-barton|access-date=2021-11-24|website=Field Gulls|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=Gavin Heslop Career Game Log|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HeslGa00.htm|access-date=2021-11-24|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|language=en}} On Monday Night Football against the Washington Football Team on November 29, Heslop recovered an onside kick with Seattle down 17–15, but the play was called back due to an illegal formation penalty on another Seahawks player.{{Cite web|date=2021-11-29|title=Despite late touchdown drive, Seahawks fall to Washington|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/seahawks/despite-late-touchdown-drive-seahawks-fall-to-washington/|access-date=2021-11-30|website=The Seattle Times|language=en-US}} He was signed to the active roster on December 10 after Jamal Adams was ruled out for the season.{{cite web|title=Seahawks Sign DB Gavin Heslop From Practice Squad, Place S Jamal Adams On Injured Reserve|url=https://www.seahawks.com/news/seahawks-sign-db-gavin-heslop-from-practice-squad-place-s-jamal-adams-on-injured|author=Boyle, John|website=Seahawks.com|date=December 10, 2021}}
On December 12 against the Houston Texans, Heslop suffered a broken fibula and tibia in the final minute of the game after coming in to take his first career regular season defensive snaps. He remained in Houston to receive surgery the next day, which head coach Pete Carroll described as "successful".{{Cite web|title=Surgery For Gavin Heslop, D.J. Reed Is OK & Other Seahawks Injury Updates|url=https://www.seahawks.com/news/surgery-for-gavin-heslop-d-j-reed-is-ok-other-seahawks-injury-updates|access-date=2021-12-14|website=www.seahawks.com|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|date=2021-12-13|title=Seahawks: 6 notes from Pete Carroll's post-Week 14 press conference|url=https://seahawkswire.usatoday.com/lists/seahawks-pete-carrolls-post-week-14-press-conference-notes/|access-date=2021-12-14|website=Seahawks Wire|language=en-US}} He was placed on injured reserve on December 15.{{cite web|title=Seahawks Sign Tanner Muse Off Practice Squad; Place Gavin Heslop On IR|url=https://www.seahawks.com/news/seahawks-sign-tanner-muse-off-practice-squad-place-gavin-heslop-on-ir|author=Boyle, John|website=Seahawks.com|date=December 15, 2021}}
=New York Giants=
On July 22, 2022, the New York Giants signed Heslop.{{cite web|title=Giants sign DB Gavin Heslop, terminate OT Korey Cunningham (non-football injury)|url=https://www.giants.com/news/gavin-heslop-seattle-seahawks-sign-contract-korey-cunningham-injury|author=Eisen, Michael|website=Giants.com|date=July 22, 2022}} He was released on August 16.{{cite web|title=Giants waive three players; roster down to 85|url=https://www.giants.com/news/roster-moves-jeremiah-hall-austin-proehl-gavin-heslop-2022|author=Eisen, Michael|website=Giants.com|date=August 16, 2022|access-date=August 16, 2022|archive-date=August 16, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220816143755/https://www.giants.com/news/roster-moves-jeremiah-hall-austin-proehl-gavin-heslop-2022|url-status=dead}}
=Carolina Panthers=
On October 19, 2022, the Carolina Panthers signed Heslop to their practice squad.
=Cleveland Browns=
On August 5, 2023, Heslop signed with the Cleveland Browns.{{cite web|title=Browns sign CB Gavin Heslop and T Derrick Kelly II|url=https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/browns-sign-cb-gavin-heslop-and-t-derrick-kelly-ii|website=ClevelandBrowns.com|date=August 5, 2023}} He was waived on August 27.{{cite web|title=Browns reduce roster to 76|url=https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/browns-reduce-roster-to-76|website=ClevelandBrowns.com|date=August 27, 2023}}
= Houston Roughnecks =
On October 24, 2023, Heslop signed with the Houston Roughnecks of the XFL.{{Cite web |title=XFL Transactions |url=https://www.xfl.com/xfl-transactions |access-date=2023-10-25 |website=www.xfl.com |language=en}} The Roughnecks brand was transferred to the Houston Gamblers when the XFL and United States Football League merged to create the United Football League (UFL).{{Cite web |last=Seifert |first=Kevin |date=January 1, 2024 |title=Newly formed United Football League sets 8 markets, tabs coaches |url=https://www.espn.com/xfl/story/_/id/39222541/newly-formed-united-football-league-sets-8-markets-tabs-coaches |access-date=January 15, 2024 |website=ESPN.com}}
= San Antonio Brahmas =
On January 19, 2024, Heslop signed with the San Antonio Brahmas of the UFL.{{Cite news |title=The UFL Agree to Terms with 42 Players |url=https://uflboard.com/news/the-ufl-agree-to-terms-with-42-players/ |website=UFLBoard.com |date=January 19, 2024 |access-date=January 20, 2024}} He was placed on Injured reserve on March 22, 2024.{{Cite web |last=Release |first=Press |date=2024-03-23 |title=San Antonio Brahmas Announce 50-Man Roster |url=https://uflboard.com/news/san-antonio-brahmas-announce-50-man-roster/ |access-date=2024-03-25 |website=UFL News and Discussion |language=en-US}} He was activated on April 30, 2024.{{Cite web |title=UFL Transactions |url=https://uflboard.com/ufl-transactions/ |access-date=2024-05-01 |website=UFLBoard.com |language=en-US}} He was released on May 14.{{Cite web |title=UFL Transactions |url=https://uflboard.com/ufl-transactions/ |access-date=2024-05-15 |website=UFLBoard.com |language=en-US}}
=Ottawa Redblacks=
Heslop was signed by the Ottawa Redblacks on November 18, 2024.{{cite web | url=https://www.footballdb.com/players/gavin-heslop-hesloga01/transactions | title=Gavin Heslop | publisher=footballdb.com | accessdate=27 March 2025}} He was part of the final training camp cuts on May 31, 2025.{{cite web|url=https://www.ottawaredblacks.com/2025/05/31/redblacks-transactions-may-31-2025/ |title=Redblacks Transactions May 31, 2025 |publisher=Ottawa Redblacks |date=May 31, 2025}}
Personal life
Heslop is cousins with former NFL player Doug Hogue, who played for the Detroit Lions and the Carolina Panthers from 2011 to 2012.{{Cite web|title=Seattle Seahawks|url=https://www.seahawks.com/team/players-roster/gavin-heslop/career|access-date=2020-08-20|website=seahawks.com|language=en-US}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://stonybrookathletics.com/sports/football/roster/gavin-heslop/6030 Stony Brook Seawolves bio]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Heslop, Gavin}}
Category:American football cornerbacks
Category:Canadian football defensive backs
Category:New York Giants players
Category:Seattle Seahawks players
Category:Players of American football from Yonkers, New York
Category:Players of Canadian football from New York (state)
Category:Stony Brook Seawolves football players
Category:Archbishop Stepinac High School alumni
Category:Carolina Panthers players
Category:Cleveland Browns players
Category:Houston Roughnecks players