Five things to know about new Giants fullback Cullen Gillaspia:
1. After being drafted in the seventh round (220nd overall) of the 2019 NFL Draft, Gillaspia spent his first two seasons with the Houston Texans before being waived earlier this month. The Giants signed him to a contract one week later.
2. Gillaspia touched the ball just once while playing 25 games, including two in the postseason, for the Texans; he caught a six-yard pass against the Steelers on September 27, 2020.
3. Gillaspia appeared in nine games last season, playing seven snaps on offense and 116 snaps on special teams. As a rookie, Gillaspia played in all 16 games. He played 13 snaps on offense and 274 on special teams where he was a standout.
4. He attended Texas A&M, where he joined the football team as a walk-on linebacker. Prior to his senior season, Gillaspia moved to fullback and went on to start every game. He rushed the ball five times for 33 yards (6.6 avg.) and a touchdown that year while catching five passes for 52 yards. He also finished his collegiate career with 25 tackles (17 solo), one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and two blocked kicks.
Gillaspia served as the Aggies' 12th man in every game from 2016-2018, a tradition where a walk-on special teams player wears the No. 12 jersey to represent the entire student body. Gillaspia became the first ever 12th man to be drafted into the NFL.
5. Born in Katy, Texas, Gillaspia attended James E. Taylor High School where he played baseball and football as an all-district linebacker and return specialist.
View photos of new Giants fullback Cullen Gillaspia.
Cullen Gillaspia
Houston Texans running back Cullen Gillaspia in action against the Green Bay Packers during the first half of an NFL preseason football game Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)
Houston Texans running back Cullen Gillaspia (44) smiles after an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020 in Cleveland. The Browns defeated the Texans 10-7. (Alika Jenner via AP)
Fullback Cullen Gillaspia (44) and the Houston Texans run on the field during player introductions before an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns , Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020 in Cleveland. The Browns defeated the Texans 10-7. (Alika Jenner via AP)
Houston Texans fullback Cullen Gillaspia (44) celebrates after making a tackle during the first half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Houston Texans fullback Cullen Gillaspia (44) runs a play during the second half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Houston Texans running back Cullen Gillaspia (44) looks toward the camera and gives a thumbs up during pregame warmups before an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, in Houston. (AP Photo/Matt Patterson)
Houston Texans fullback Cullen Gillaspia (44) celebrates after making a tackle during the first half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Houston Texans fullback Cullen Gillaspia (44) runs a play during the second half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Houston Texans running back Cullen Gillaspia runs with a kickoff return against the Kansas City Chiefs during a NFL divisional playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 12, 2020 in Kansas City, Mo. The Chiefs won, 51-31. (G. Newman Lowrance via AP)
Houston Texans fullback Cullen Gillaspia (44) in action on special teams against the Pittsburgh Steelers during an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, in Pittsburgh. The Steelers defeated the Texans 28-21. (Joe Robbins via AP)
Houston Texans running back Cullen Gillaspia celebrates following a fumble recovery against the Kansas City Chiefs during a NFL divisional playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 12, 2020 in Kansas City, Mo. The Chiefs won, 51-31. (G. Newman Lowrance via AP)
Houston Texans rookie running back Cullen Gillaspia (44) runs forward during a NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019 in Arlington, Tex. The Cowboys won the game 34-0. (Paul Jasienski via AP)
Houston Texans fullback Cullen Gillaspia (44) runs in pursuit against the Buffalo Bills during an NFL wild-card playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2020, in Houston. The Texans defeated the Bills 22-19 in overtime. (Kevin Terrell via AP)
Houston Texans running back Cullen Gillaspia (44) gets set in the backfield during an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Buffalo Bills, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2020, in Houston. The Texans defeated the Bills in overtime, 22-19. (Ryan Kang via AP)
Houston Texans running back Cullen Gillaspia looks on as he warms up against the Kansas City Chiefs during a NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019, in Kansas City, Mo. The Texans defeated the Chiefs 31-24. (G. Newman Lowrance via AP)
Houston Texans running back Cullen Gillaspia warms up before the start of an NFL preseason football game against the Green Bay Packers Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)
Houston Texans running back Cullen Gillaspia rushes against the Green Bay Packers during the second half of an NFL preseason football game Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)
Houston Texans running back Cullen Gillaspia (44) lines up against the Los Angeles Rams during the second half of a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)
Houston Texans' Cullen Gillaspia (44) celebrates after an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Buffalo Bills Saturday, Jan. 4, 2020, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
Houston Texans running back Cullen Gillaspia runs with a kickoff return against the Kansas City Chiefs during a NFL divisional playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 12, 2020 in Kansas City, Mo. The Chiefs won, 51-31. (G. Newman Lowrance via AP)
