Former Stony Brook University wide receiver Adrian Coxson started a big week for Seawolves football when he signed a contract with the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent, but tight end Will Tye finished it by signing a contract of his own with the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent on Saturday night, according to his agent DuWayne Upton.
“It feels unbelievable,” Tye said. “That’s for sure.”
Tye, a second team All-Colonial Athletic Association selection, was invited to Giants rookie camp on a tryout basis, starting on Friday, where he had the opportunity to impress the coaching staff and earn a contract.
Out of the 44 players who were invited as tryouts, only three were signed to contracts, according to Tye.
“You work hard at everything. You go fast in everything. You listen to the coach,” Tye said about what he had to do to catch the eyes of the coaches. “You’ve just got to stay strong and believe.”
Tye even had some interaction with Giants Head Coach Tom Coughlin during the camp.
“He said, ‘I heard you’re fast so run fast’,” Tye said.
His first invitation to a rookie camp came from the Kansas City Chiefs, scheduled to take place next week. But, after signing with the Giants, Tye no longer needs to attend.
Tye caught the attention of NFL scouts when he put in a strong performance at Stony Brook’s Pro Day on April 1. The tight end, who also returned punts for the Seawolves, ran the 40-yard dash in unofficial times of 4.47 and 4.50 seconds, respectively. Those speeds would have paced all tight ends at the NFL Combine, where the quickest time at that position was 4.58 seconds.
Before Pro Day, Tye worked out for the San Diego Chargers, following that up with the New York Jets, New York Giants, Kansas City Chiefs and Denver Broncos after the fact, according to Upton.
While at Stony Brook, Tye caught 79 passes for 1,015 yards including nine touchdowns, with 495 yards and five of those touchdowns coming in his senior year.
Prior to joining Head Coach Chuck Priore and company on Long Island in 2013, Tye spent two years at Florida State University under Head Coach Jimbo Fisher. He spent his time fighting for playing time behind the likes of Buffalo Bills draftee Nick O’Leary.
Tye caught one pass for seven yards in his time with the Seminoles before transferring.
He joins Stony Brook alumnus Michael Bamiro with the Giants. The teammates are two of the three Seawolves currently signed to NFL contracts.
“It’s extremely satisfying,” Tye said about signing with the Giants. “It shows also, being from Connecticut, it doesn’t matter where you’re from, who you are. You can definitely make your dream come true, that’s for sure.”
Seawolf fan • May 10, 2015 at 6:08 am
This could not have happen to a better person. This is why I love being a Stony Brook season ticket holder. Nothing more satisfying for me to watch and see players evolve and become pro players out of this school. Good luck Tye and we will see you on Sundays for sure!!!