SLIPPERY ROCK — “It was scary.”

That's how Slippery Rock University senior right tackle and Seneca Valley graduate Steve Gaviglia described his move from defensive to offensive tackle prior to his sophomore year at SRU.

“I rarely played on offense in high school,” he said. “I have asthma, so when I had to be spelled, it was always on offense. I couldn't be a two-way player.

“On my highlight tape from Seneca Valley ... about eight seconds of it shows me on offense.”

So, understandably, SRU recruited Gaviglia as a defensive lineman. He saw some snaps on that side of the ball as a freshman.

“I was in the rotation as a backup,” Gaviglia said. “Then the coaches saw something in me that I didn't see.”

Gaviglia was moved to offensive tackle during spring ball of his freshman year. He became a three-time All-PSAC West selection, including first team this season. He was first team All-Region this year as well.

Now Gaviglia has been named second team Division II All-American by the American Football Coaches Association. That team was announced Wednesday.

“He has great feet and he's very smart,” SRU coach Shawn Lutz said of Gaviglia. “(Offensive line coach) Chris Conrad saw that in him and wanted him on offense after that first year.

“Chris is a good technician. He's the best in the business at teaching teachnique.”

The 6-foot-3, 285-pound Gaviglia becomes the third Rock offensive lineman to make Div. II All-American since 2010, joining Cory Tucker (2015) and Brandon Fusco (2010). Defensive end Marcus Martin achieved the honor in 2016 and 2017.

Only 10 SRU players have been accorded this honor since the All-American team's inception in 1972.

“This doesn't happen without him,” Gaviglia said of Conrad. “He's been the biggest difference in creating the success I've had. He saw me playing defense on our scout team my freshman year and saw something in me, I guess.

“He taught me the technique and mentality it takes to play offensive line.”

Gaviglia started 35 games in his four-year SRU career. He started 25 straight at right tackle over his final two seasons.

“He was a model of consistency for us up front,” Lutz said. “Steve is one of the nicest guys around. He led by example.

“He never talked any trash on the field. He just produced. This (honor) couldn't happen to a better person.”

Gaviglia doesn't take any credit for being in the starting lineup every week.

“That just shows I was lucky and blessed,” he said. “Just about every offensive lineman has some type of scar on a knee from surgery for an ACL tear, an MCL ... I never had any of that stuff. That's just being lucky.”

Gaviglia is one of the highest graded Rock offensive linemen in the past decade. He graded out above 90 percent in all 14 games this season and had multiple perfect grades in some of those contests.

SRU's rushing attack averaged 202.7 yards per game, 2,838 yards on the season. Overall, The Rock offense averaged 37.2 points per game and 458.7 yards per game.

“This is a nice way for me to end my playing career,” Gaviglia said. “A national championship was the ultimate goal, but I'm surprised and very happy to get this.”

Also an Academic All-Region selection, Gaviglia carries a 3.6 grade point average as an exercise science major. He plans to attend graduate school for physical therapy next fall.

Ultimately, Gaviglia hopes to work in physical therapy for a professional sports franchise.

“I remember getting a coupler of C's my first semester here and knew that wouldn't cut it for getting into grad school,” he said. “I began sacrificing more free time to study more.

“I remember one Halloween, a lot of the guys were out at parties ... A teammate and exercise science major like me were in the library studying anatomy.

“I guess that extra effort paid off,” Gaviglia added.

On the field and off.

“Here's a kid who has asthma, rarely played any offensive snaps in high school, comes here as a defensive lineman and winds up an All-American on offense,” Lutz said.

“That's a crazy story. And he made it happen.”