Long Island's Nyrel Sevilla and Leisaan Hibbert want to help grow LIU football together

When people work in a team setting, it is natural for them to form bonds and friendships with those around them. However, what Nyrel Sevilla and Leisaan Hibbert have built together is stronger than just cordiality in the workplace.

The two Melville products and Half Hollow Hills East alumni are expected to play major roles on defense for the Long Island University  Sharks this fall, with Sevilla playing outside linebacker and Hibbert bouncing between both safety positions and the nickelback role. Hibbert will also return some punts this year.

Hibbert is in his fourth year with LIU, but it will only be his second year getting meaningful action. As for Sevilla, it is his fifth year of college football but only his second with the Sharks after starting off at Nassau Community College.

They may not have played a ton of downs of Division I football, but they do have experience playing beside one another, as they have been doing that for most of their lives.

“I grew up with him,” Hibbert said. “We knew each other since we were babies. Our parents grew up together. We played some little league sports together, so we have an easy connection on the field. He’s like a brother to me.”

Long Island is not generally known to produce big-time football players like it does in lacrosse. Because of that, becoming beacons for Long Island football is one of Sevilla’s favorite things about their journey together.

“It definitely gets the light to our community, as well, because there’s a lot of kids who play football or want to be college athletes, and they look up to us,” Sevilla said. “It’s important to me because we get to show the kids on Long Island that it’s possible for them to play high-level football. It’s fun being able to shine the light on the youth here and give them the opportunities.”

Sevilla played four years and captained for three on Hills East’s varsity from 2016 through 2019. Hibbert was a three-year varsity player and captain at Hills East from 2018 through the spring of 2021. As teammates in 2018-19, they played under current Hills East head coach Alex Marcelin, who was a defensive assistant at the time.

Marcelin spoke about the impact that Hibbert and Sevilla have had on Long Island football.

“They’re great people, first of all,” Marcelin said. “They come back here and work out with the high school kids. They do things that give back and they always show that they care for the Hills East program.

“When you get the opportunities to play these FBS teams and Power Fives and top FCS programs … and they’re actually out there playing against them and making a name for themselves, it shows that the Long Island kids can play.”

Hibbert and Sevilla are two of 16 Long Islanders on the Sharks’ roster this season. Other than Hibbert and Sevilla, left tackle Kristos Fernandez, kicker Michael Coney and defensive tackle Liam McCormick will all be difference-makers as LIU seeks to improve its 4-7 record from last season.

Fernandez graduated from New Hyde Park in 2021 and has developed into an All-Northeast Conference (NEC) player after walking on as a defensive end three years ago. He was named to the 2024 Phil Steele Preseason All-NEC second team.

“After moving to tackle, I just felt like I belonged,” Fernandez said. “It felt like I finally found a place where I’m comfortable at and keep growing as a player.”

Coney is a graduate student from Wantagh who was a 2022 All-NEC second team selection. He was a defender and captain of the Wantagh soccer team until his senior year, when he decided to give placekicking a shot.

His goal this year: make every single kick.

“I’d like to be 100%,” Coney said. “I know every kicker says that, but I think it’s achievable.”

McCormick, an Islip-product who spent three years at Chaminade, spent the last three years as a backup at Florida State. .

“I put in a lot of time and work over the last three years,” McCormick said. “There’s a lot I want to do. I don’t want to say there’s a chip on my shoulder, but there’s a lot I’d like for myself to do this year.”

The Sharks open the season Aug. 31 at Albany at 7 p.m.