Vlog | Alohi Gilman: Welcome to My Life
Former Notre Dame safety Alohi Gilman started a vlog to share his experiences leading up to being selected by the LA Chargers in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Gilman gives you a look at his family, but also shows you around his hometown in Hawaii.
The 5-foot-10, 191-pounder also shares his recruiting story and how he ended up at the Naval Academy.
"It was such a crazy experience," said Gilman. "It's a different world - a different universe. Some people know hard until they go through something as hard as that.
"That experience shaped me into who I am, the person and leader I am and who the core of me of who I am - found who I was. I became a man."
Gilman also explained why he made the tough decision to transfer from Navy to Notre Dame.
"From there, I decided I wanted to play on the highest level and transfer. I decided to go to Notre Dame.
"Notre Dame gave me a great opportunity to play there on scholarship. That's where I made my name for myself. That's where I embraced every opportunity, worked my butt off and now I'm here where I am now."
You also get a feel for the chip that remains on his shoulder.
"People told me I wasn't going to make it and now I'm here doing my thing. I'm so grateful and so blessed, but I'm excited for the future."
Gilman was selected on Saturday in the sixth round by the Chargers with the 186th overall pick.
He'll join former Notre Dame players Isaac Rochell, Jerry Tillery, and Drue Tranquill in Los Angeles along with undrafted free agents Asmar Bilal and Donte Vaughn.
The Laie (Hawaii) ended his Notre Dame career with 169 tackles, 14 tackles for losses, six fumbles forced and three interceptions after only being rated by one recruiting service, Rivals as a two-star prospect.
The UND.com Gilman File
HONORS & AWARDS
- Team captain (2019)
- Pro Football Focus National Team of the Week (2019 Week 5 vs. Virginia)
- Nagurski Trophy Watch List (2019)
- Thorpe Award Watch List (2019)
- AP Second Team Preseason All-American (2019)
- Scout Team Player of the Year: Defense (2017)
- Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Rookie of the Year (2016)
- Honorable Mention All-AAC (2016)
- AAC Defensive Player of the Week (Sept. 11, 2016)
- Honorable Mention Jim Thorpe Defensive Back of the Week (Sept. 11, 2016)