Long Island's Elijah Riley on playing for hometown Giants: 'It feels like somewhere I belong'

After spending two years in Pittsburgh, Elijah Riley is back home. 

The Port Jefferson native signed with the Giants in May and took to the practice field as a safety this week.

Before his homecoming deal, Riley signed with Philadelphia as an undrafted free agent in 2020 after graduating from Army. He appeared in six games over a season and a half before the Jets signed him off the Eagles' practice squad. Riley started seven games at safety for the Jets that year, then spent the last two seasons with the Steelers.

“I’ve had to prove something every year; it feels I’ve played a different position every year,” Riley said after practice Monday. “The benefit of it all is that I’m getting a well-rounded view of a lot of different defenses. Obviously, I’m in a new system pretty often. It’s been cool getting around the league and I’m looking to make this my final landing place for a while.”

The Giants played an influential role in Riley’s household when he was growing up on Long Island. From lifelong fan to a member of the team, he said everything about the experience has been surreal.

“When we did the photoshoot at the start of minicamp, I was blown away,” said Riley, who starred at Newfield High School and in 2015 won the Hansen Award as Suffolk's top player. “I mean, I was putting on a Giants uniform. I had a mini helmet and pictures in my room, all types of things when I was a kid. To be playing for a local team — a team with blue collar roots — it hits home. It’s something you really feel in your heart. It feels like somewhere I belong.”

Riley, 26, has played in 30 games over four seasons in the NFL, recording 62 tackles, two sacks and a pass defensed.

Giants assistant general manager Brandon Brown, who knew Riley when he played for Philadelphia, said the choice to sign him was simple. He is young but experienced, respected as a versatile player and local to the area.

“I just think you take all those factors and put them together, he had a good workout, and it's a platform for him where I think that he can give us a really good showing,” Brown said.

Over 44 games at Army, Riley made 201 career tackles, 6.5 sacks, seven interceptions, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and one blocked field goal, which he returned for a touchdown.

It was Riley’s experience at Army that paved the way for his professional career.

“Army taught me how to lead leaders, which is probably one of my biggest takeaways,” he said. “Here, I think that’s really coming together for me. I’m a fifth-year player. I’m a vet, especially to some of the young guys.”

As he continues to navigate his time in the NFL, Riley said he is learning to appreciate every experience and opportunity presented to him — especially when those opportunities lead him back home.

“My journey has been nomadic, but I came in undrafted and I beat the statistics,” Riley said. “My journey is only up from here, God willing.”