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STONY BROOK, N.Y. -- Since they were eight years old growing up in Yonker, N.Y., Stony Brook football defensive backs Gavin Heslop (Yonkers, N.Y./Archbishop Stepinac) and TJ Morrison (Yonkers, N.Y./Archbishop Stepinac) have been playing together on the same football field. This year will be no different, as the pair will lead the Seawolves cornerbacks into the 2019 season.
 
"The chemistry and history that those two have is infections in the room," cornerbacks coach Diamond Weaver said. "We really have a brotherhood and it starts with those two guys. They lead by example and it is not just on the field and in the film room, it's off the field too. I'm really happy with the chemistry we have overall as a unit and it starts with those two guys being in the front and having that relationship and history."
 
Heslop a senior captain for the Seawolves, and Morrison a junior, will be starting on opposite sides of the field come Aug. 29 when Stony Brook hosts Bryant in Kenneth P. LaValle Stadium in the season opener (GET YOUR TICKETS NOW).
 
"The confidence boost I get from looking across the field and seeing Gavin there is unmatched," Morrison said. "Blood couldn't make us any closer."
 
The duo started every game together last season too and helped guide Stony Brook to a second consecutive appearance in the FCS Playoffs. Heslop recorded 59 total tackles, had 10 pass break-ups and returned a fumble 87 yards for a touchdown in 2018, while Morrison posted 42 total tackles, had seven pas break-ups and returned an interception 37 yards.
 
"It is a crazy feeling, seeing him (TJ) on the other side of the field," Heslop stated. "I know what he is capable of and he knows what I'm capable of. Seeing that and knowing that he's going to lock down on his side and I'm going to lock down on my side. There is no better feeling."
 
The Seawolves and Weaver, in his first season at Stony Brook after helping lead Maine to a CAA Football title in 2018, have some depth behind the two long-time friends. Among those on the depth chart are junior Kareem Gaulden (Jersey City, N.J./Lincoln), sophomores Jabari Reddock (Upper Marlboro, Md./Largo) and Ronnie Beard (Commack, N.Y./Commack) and redshirt freshmen Gregory Young II (Clinton, Md./Suitland), Calique Cato-Jacobs (Brooklyn, N.Y./Erasmus Hall) and Quenton Porter (Hedgesville, N.Y./Hedgesville)
 
"We have a lot of young guys coming up and stepping up," Heslop added. "Everyone is balling and I don't think there would a drop off if anyone got hurt. Everybody is doing what they have to do. They know the playbook and everyone is out here making plays and I'm excited to see what we can do during the season."
 
Stony Brook has seven home games in 2019 that get underway on Aug. 29 against Bryant. The Seawolves also welcome Wagner (Sept. 14) and Fordham (Sept. 21) in non-conference games at LaValle Stadium. The CAA Football home schedule gets underway on Oct. 5 when James Madison visits Long Island for Homecoming. New Hampshire (Oct. 12), Towson (Nov. 9) and UAlbany (Nov. 23) round out the home conference schedule.
 
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