Devin Grant of Elmont signs with Los Angeles Chargers

Devin Grant, a defensive back from Syracuse who grew up in Elmont, agreed to a free agent contract with the Chargers after the NFL Draft this weekend. Grant, who played at Holy Cross High School in Queens and then the University of Buffalo before transferring to Syracuse, is the second Orange player with Long Island roots to reach the NFL with both of them heading to Los Angeles. Dan Villari, a tight end from Massapequa (Plainedge High School) agreed to sign with the Rams.

In his two seasons at Syracuse the 6-4, 205-pound Grant posted 85 tackles, 3.0 sacks, 11 tackles for a loss, four forced fumbles and one interception. He played through lower body injuries last season which hampered his production but was healthy enough to post strong numbers at his pro day workout. That performance included a 36 ½ inch vertical jump and a 10’6” broad jump. His 6.98 in the three-cone drill would have been a top 10 time at the Combine.

Grant’s on-field highlight for Syracuse came in 2024 when he stripped the ball from Miami receiver Xavier Restrepo, now with the Titans, then returned it 56 yards for a touchdown to spark a comeback win over the No 6-ranked Hurricanes.

Grant also received post-draft interest from the 49ers and Seahawks but chose to sign with the Chargers. The Chargers defense uses All-Pro Derwin James in a similar way Syracuse deployed Grant and Grant will get to compete to become the understudy in that role.

By Tom Rock

tom.rock@newsday.com@TomRock_Newsday

Tom Rock began covering sports for Newsday in 1996 and became its NFL columnist in 2022. He previously was Newsday's Giants beat writer beginning in 2008.