For Devin Grant, of Elmont, the dream of playing in the NFL — which he had been working toward since childhood — was realized last month when he signed with the Los Angeles Chargers as an undrafted free agent.
Following the 2026 NFL draft, the Chargers called the former Syracuse defensive back, marking the end of a long journey that started in Queens, continued through Long Island, and wound through two college programs before reaching professional football.
Grant, 21, first picked up a football at age 4, which, at the time, felt natural given his family’s connection to the game. His uncle, former NFL defensive back Dean Marlowe, helped shape his earliest understanding of what a professional career could look like.
Grant credits his early passion for football to being around his uncle, observing Marlowe’s career and day-to-day professional approach up close, an experience that ultimately inspired him to pursue a career in the NFL.
“I first started playing football when I was 4 years old,” Grant said. “I was always around football.”
That early ambition never wavered, and even as a child, he said, it showed up in small classroom exercises about future goals. Over time, what started as a childhood answer in class became a serious pursuit.
Grant, who grew up in Queens and now lives in Elmont, said the turning point came in middle and high school, when he realized his talent could carry him further than just local competition.
“I was just like, man, I'm actually kind of good at this,” he said. “Like, if I put in the work and, you know, keep grinding, I could take this to the next level and, you know, live out my dream.”
Grant’s mother, Stephanie Blake, said it was a collective effort as a family to support him in his pursuit of a football career.
“We definitely made all the home games, and most of the away games, and of course, all his games from Little League through high school," she said.
His college path reflected his steady development in the defensive backfield. Grant began his career at the University of Buffalo in 2022 before transferring to Syracuse for the 2024 season, where he developed into a versatile defensive back capable of playing safety and nickel.
That versatility, he said, became a core part of his identity on the gridiron.
“I played defensive back, safety, so I kind of played nickel. I'm very versatile,” Grant, who stands 6-foot-4, said. “Being a tall safety who can also be versatile, you know, can come down and cover a receiver, but then I was also big enough to guard tight ends.”
His path to the NFL also included some adversity. A knee procedure briefly sidelined him during college, forcing him to adjust mentally while watching from the sidelines.
He said he underwent a minor disc surgery midseason that required only a scope procedure, keeping his recovery relatively short at about four to six weeks. Still, he described the experience as being difficult mentally, explaining that being away from the team, unable to practice, and watching his teammates compete without him created a challenging psychological adjustment.
After completing his final college season, Grant shifted his concentration to fully preparing for the 2026 NFL draft.
As the draft approached, Grant said he stayed focused on routine and how he could improve, rather than listening to outside noise. He credited teammates, coaches and family members for helping him stay grounded throughout the process.
Before the draft, his grandfather, Jerome Blake, said that he was very proud of him and was looking forward to continuing to support him.
Now preparing to enter the NFL, Grant said his mindset is centered on earning his place on the football field.
“I wouldn't say nervous, definitely not nervous. But I would say excited,” he said about his emotions upon entering the NFL. “I just try to keep my head down and grind.”
For Grant, the destination has never changed. The only thing left is proving he belongs.
