From Division III football to the big leagues, former All-American safety Derek Slywka’s football journey took a turn, landing him on the radar of the NFL and ultimately signing with the Canadian Football League’s Toronto Argonauts.

Since the end of the 2023 Ithaca College Bombers’ football season, All-American graduate student defensive back Derek Slywka has been training to get a shot in the National Football League. 

Making a career in professional football is something only 1.6% of all collegiate football players will achieve. It can be even more difficult for athletes who did not go to Division I schools, which normally offer better training resources, more exposure to scouts and recruiters and a higher level of competition.