Derek Slywka

Derek Slywka is an American professional football defensive back for the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League.

College career

Slywka first played college football for the Finger Lakes Community College Lakers from 2019 to 2020 where he also played on the basketball team. He then transferred to Ithaca College to play for the Ithaca Bombers from 2021 to 2023. He played in 34 games at safety for the Bombers where he recorded 119 tackles, including seven tackles for loss, 11 interceptions, 30 knockdowns, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and four blocked kicks.

Slywka signed with the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent on June 6, 2024, as a wide receiver. However, he was released just before the start of the regular season on August 25, 2024.

On September 24, 2024, it was announced that Slywka had signed with the Toronto Argonauts, as a defensive back, to a practice roster agreement. He did not dress in a game in 2024 and was on the practice roster when the Argonauts defeated the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the 111th Grey Cup game. His contract expired after this game, but he re-signed with the team on November 27, 2024.
In training camp for the 2025 season, Slywka spent time at both receiver and defensive back. After a strong showing, he was named the team's opening day starter at safety and played in his first professional game on June 6, 2025, against the Montreal Alouettes where he recorded three defensive tackles and one interception. On June 29, 2025, in a game against the Ottawa Redblacks, Slywka scored his first career touchdown when he recovered a Kalil Pimpleton fumble and returned it 105 yards for a score. This was the fourth-longest fumble return in CFL history. In the same game, he returned a missed field goal 120 yards for his second career touchdown, helping the Argonauts to a 29–16 win over the Redblacks.