MIKE BASILE SIGNS WITH THE NEW YORK GIANTS

WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ- Monmouth University All-American safety Mike Basile (Brick, NJ/Brick Memorial) has signed as a free agent with the New York Giants.

"It is an unbelievable feeling, it is still surreal," said Basile. "This is the team I grew up watching and loving. To just be able to put on a Giants uniform is a great feeling and an honor."

He received a phone call last night offering the opportunity to try out today.

"It was crazy I got a call last night from them, I packed up all my stuff went up to the hotel. I worked out for the staff this morning and after the workout, Coach Bettcher [Giants Defensive Coordinator James Bettcher] came up and said congratulations."

The safety could make his debut in the Giants' preseason opener against the Cleveland Browns tomorrow night at 7 PM. That game will air locally on NBC and nationally on the NFL Network.

Basile graduated from Monmouth as the most decorated player in school history, earning consensus All-American honors as a junior and senior. He set the Monmouth record for career tackles with 433 and finished as a four-time First Team All-Big South selection, setting the conference record for solo stops with 285. The 2017 Big South Co-Defensive Player of the Year was named to the FCS ADA All-America Team, earning him the distinction of the top defensive back in the FCS. Basile also became the first Hawk to earn First Team All-American honors from the Associated Press and the Walter Camp Football Foundation. In addition to his staggering amount of tackles, the safety recorded 22 passes defended, eight interceptions, seven sacks and six blocked kicks.

The Brick, NJ native joins Monmouth alums Neal Sterling (Jets), Hakeem Valles (Lions) and Chris Hogan (Patriots) in the NFL ranks.