UNIVERSITY CENTER, Mich. – Saginaw Valley State University football players Nick Whiteside and Trevor Nowaske signed Undrafted Free Agent contracts to play for two National Football League teams. Whiteside was signed as a priority undrafted free agent with the Washington Commanders while Nowaske signed in the same capacity with the Detroit Lions.
Whiteside finished his career with SVSU with 131 tackles and 12 interceptions in his four years with the team. The Auburn Hills, Michigan, native was a 2022 AFCA All-American, a Cliff Harris Award Finalist, and a D2Football.com Elite 100 member. Whiteside is a two-time All-GLIAC first-team defender and was named the 2021 GLIAC Defensive Back of the Year.
"I am so proud of Nick!" said SVSU head football coach Ryan Brady. "Nick has had to overcome so much adversity in the last two years. It's just incredible what he has overcome. His faith, belief, and determination will serve him well at the NFL level. Words cannot express how excited I am for Nick to have an opportunity to make his dream come true. He is a great football player. Now, he has the opportunity to show everyone just how great he can be! We are wishing Nick the best as he begins his NFL Career."
Nowaske led the team with a career-high 98 tackles in 2022. His career year was rewarded with a first-team All-GLIAC defense award in 2022. The Canton, Michigan product was an All-GLIAC honorable mention in 2021.
"We are really excited for Trevor in Detroit," stated Brady. "Trevor truly defined the word discipline. Throughout his career at SVSU, Trevor was an absolute machine in attacking the little things one needs to get better each and every day. Trevor has what it takes to play at the NFL level and it's obvious NFL teams recognized that. Trevor was an exceptional player at SVSU and we're all really excited to follow his career in Detroit. Again, just really proud of Trevor for the discipline, sacrifice, and relentless energy that he has put into chasing his dream. The Detroit Lions got a special one! Best of luck Trevor from everyone back in Saginaw!"