Nick Gargiulo, a former Yale standout turned South Carolina Gamecock, brings an intriguing mix of skills and potential to the NFL scouting radar. Standing at 6’5″ and weighing 318 pounds, Gargiulo possesses impressive physical attributes, including a lengthy wingspan and large hands. His background as a team captain at both Yale and South Carolina underscores his leadership qualities and football intelligence, evident in his alertness and clear-eyed play on the field.
In terms of his strengths, Gargiulo demonstrates an ability to generate torque in the run game, utilizing his length, hand placement, and timing to establish leverage and create lanes for ball carriers. His active feet and strong grip enable him to sustain blocks with remarkable effort and determination. However, his tall, lean build presents challenges in terms of anchoring against powerful defenders, limiting his ability to create immediate displacement and hold ground in certain situations.
Transitioning to pass protection, Gargiulo exhibits quick processing skills and sound positional discipline, allowing him to effectively engage in one-on-one battles. Despite possessing adequate length and hand-fighting techniques to counter speed rushes, he struggles with anchoring and maintaining stability against power moves, which could be a concern at the next level.
While Gargiulo’s FBS experience is limited to one season at South Carolina, he showcased the versatility to play multiple positions along the offensive line and adapt to different schemes. His combination of physical tools, football acumen, and versatility make him a potential candidate for a backup role in the NFL, particularly as a swing interior lineman capable of filling various positions in a pinch.
Given his overall profile, Gargiulo is projected as a late-round draft prospect, with a grade of 5.9 indicating he’s viewed as a backup with draftable potential in the sixth to seventh round. His ranking places him at 189 overall and 27th among interior offensive linemen. Drawing comparisons to Joe Haeg, Gargiulo’s journey from an unheralded recruit to a draft hopeful reflects his resilience and determination to succeed at the highest level of football.
