FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — Qwan’tez Stiggers thought his NFL dream ended nearly four years ago.

After his father died in a car accident in September 2020, Stiggers dealt with depression and he dropped out of college.

His focus was centered on improving his mental health and supporting his family. It was a long, emotional personal journey that saw him eventually return to football and — seemingly against all odds — be capped by a moment he once thought not possible.

Stiggers, coming off a successful stint in the CFL where the cornerback was selected the league’s most outstanding rookie, was taken by the New York Jets on Saturday in the fifth round of the NFL draft as the 176th overall pick.

And that’s despite never playing a snap of college football. He’s believed to be the first CFL player drafted by an NFL team without any college playing experience.