New York Giants rookie minicamp got underway this week at Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey. This special time of year brings fans, coaches, executives, and us media together in spirit. And it also brings hope. Each little happening and player quote could be an indicator of something greater. And day one provided one, courtesy of New York Giants second round pick, Tyler Nubin.
How will Nubin fare during his first NFL Training Camp?
New York Giants Vision For Nubin’s Future
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The New York Giants drafted Tyler Nubin, a safety out of the University of Minnesota, as much for his intangibles as they did his on-field skills. With five years of college and 48 games under his belt, the young man was considered to be more mature than most 2024 NFL Draft entrants. The Giants are hoping he will be the replacement for Xavier McKinney. He was the team’s starting safety last season and signed with Green Bay this offseason.
The first detailed commentary on the organization’s view of Nubin came courtesy of general manager Joe Schoen the morning after he was drafted:
“Obviously losing X in the off-season, to get Nubin at that value, a guy with high character, leadership, smart, tough, dependable. Culture changer at the University of Minnesota and he’s going to bring that type of mentality here, and I think that will come out tomorrow when you guys meet with him and spend some time with him. Just a really special kid that’s a good football player.”
Consider the eyes of New York Giants football fateful everywhere to be collectively peeled for evidence confirming or disproving their GM’s assessment.
Emotions On Day 1 From Nubin Signal Character
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When the media came to find out after practice that Nubin was fighting back tears of joy just before his first football practice as a professional began, the ‘special-kid’ commentary seemed to be confirmed.
Nubin had this to say when speaking with them:
“Almost shed a tear when I saw my helmet and my locker,” Nubin said. “It’s just awesome. Just being able to be out here, play the game I love, again, especially for this great, storied organization, I couldn’t thank this organization enough.”
Gratitude and reverence for history are two very exciting qualities to see from any player. They are not common. Those traits align with many of the all-time greats. Seeing them in the rookie tapped to be the future captain of your team’s defense would have to be considered a great sign.
Projecting how rookies will adapt from college to the pros has never been an exact science. However, it has always been at the heart of the NFL offseason for coaches, executives, fans, and media alike. The statistics and film have already been analyzed and belabored. Now, this is when we all seek out signals that might indicate a rookie’s character, maturity, desire, competitiveness, toughness and how quickly they can get up to speed with their new team.
Can Nubin Start For The New York Giants This Year?
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Nubin has loads of experience too, so earning a starting role in Year 1 with the Giants seems feasible. His 13 career interceptions at Minnesota, including five in 2023, are about as tangible a reason as any to point toward projecting him as such.
Nubin describing how he approaches his preparation speaks to a growth mindset:
“I think all my interceptions come from my preparation really and how I approach the game, how I study, and how I work throughout the week. So, it’s hard work. It’s a lot that goes into making plays on Saturdays and Sundays. I’m still learning, and I can’t wait to keep learning.”
The New York Giants are looking to Nubin’s charisma and leadership skills as indicators that he will one day be a team captain. And sooner rather than later. That would be befitting of a starting safety in the NFL.
Nubin took a more measured, humble approach to the subject:
“Right now, I’m just trying to learn as much as possible, be as vocal as I can, try to put myself and everybody else in positions to succeed,’’ Nubin said. “So just being able to learn and be a sponge and soak up as much as possible and be able to give that to other guys, that’s my main goal right now.’’
That type of mentality and commitment only serve to create even more excitement toward the young man’s prospects. And that kind of support and belief in a rookie is understandably enough to make them emotional.
