Costigan turning heads at Bryant
EAST RUTHERFORD, N. J. — Thomas Costigan settled in a quiet corner inside the field- level Coaches Club at MetLife Stadium, away from all the pomp and circumstance of the Northeast Conference Media Day. He was dressed neatly, wearing a navy blue sports jacket and matching tie over a white dress shirt, his legs in khakis. This was his chance to reflect on life after high school.
“It’s insane,” said Costigan, a 2015 Trinity Catholic graduate. “We were just talking last week about our baseball team at Trinity. We came up short. We were talking about how recent that was, and now it’s crazy to think that I’m going to be a senior.”
Costigan continues to reminisce about the friends he made at Trinity and how they keep in touch with their old baseball coach, Tracy Nichols, through a group text. He discusses his love for the Denver Broncos, revealing that he played fullback in the fifth grade because he idolized Terrell Davis. He expresses frustration with how little interest he received from schools outside of Bryant University during the recruiting process. He shares that his lifelong dream is to play in the NFL.
And then the conversation shifts to his hair. That’s right, his hair.
“I had it long my junior year of high school, but I actually cut it for my senior pictures,” said Costigan, his brown wavy hair back to flowing freely past his shoulders. “I regretted that because I didn’t have it for senior season. Freshman year in college, I was like, ‘ I
have to grow it out again.’”
Costigan is a hard figure to miss — and that’s before you factor in his hair or 6- foot- 3, 230- pound physique. Just ask coaches from around the conference. They know Costigan to be a disruptive force, someone who brings a world of hurt to an offense when he’s rushing the quarterback.
“He’s a little bit of a matchup nightmare,” Central Connecticut State head coach Pete Rossomando said. “Coming off the edge as a pass- rusher, he’s pretty special. If you’re playing him, you better bring your A- game. I think he’s prepared well. He’s certainly well- versed in what we’re doing and what other teams are doing against him. He’s prepared and ready to go.”
And the hair, well, that only adds to the dramatic effect of Costigan’s play. At NEC Social Media Day, Costigan drew comparisons to Green Bay Packers star Clay Matthews and the biblical figure Samson, whose hair was the source of his great strength.
“It’s something I’ve felt looks sick, long hair coming out of my helmet,” Costigan said. “That’s why I do it, honestly. I don’t do it just to walk around with it. I always have it up otherwise. It can be a hassle from time to time.”
Clearly, it hasn’t bothered him on the football field. Costigan broke out as a junior in his new role as a hybrid edge- rusher, recording 113 tackles, four forced fumbles and a school recordtying 11.5 sacks. That earned him Defensive Player of the Year honors from the NEC.
“What separates him is he never stops,” Bryant head coach James Perry said. “He plays at that energy level the whole time. ... He was a big, long guy who’s grown into this monster. He just never lets up.”
Despite showcasing that same level of intensity in high school, Costigan went mostly overlooked by FBS coaches. He communicated with multiple schools but never received an offer. Bryant, led by then- head coach Marty Fine, showed the most interest during the recruiting process.
“I’m happy with my experience, but at the same time, I always wished to play for one of those ( higher- profile) schools,” Costigan said. “But I’m glad how things turned out.”
Costigan speaks confidently but does not boast. He insists he’s trained harder for this season than any other because he wants to prove his breakout was no fluke. Also, he knows the next few months will be his last best chance to show he belongs at the next level.
“That’s been my dream since Day One,” Costigan said. “Going into Bryant, obviously it’s I- AA and there was a lot of speculation about not being able to make it to the next level, but that’s always what I had my heart set on. ... Even if I’m coming from a I- AA school, my mindset is, ‘ Why not?’”
Maybe he’ll even keep his hair long.
“I feel like telling him,” Perry said, “I have a 9- yearold son who idolizes him. I’m nervous he’s going to start growing long hair. ... When it’s flowing out of his helmet, it’s kind of cool.”