A five-year player for the Minnesota Gophers, Tyler Nubin played in at least 11 games each of the past three seasons. Coming into the 2024 NFL Draft as one of the top safety prospects, there was a potential he would go on day one. Ultimately being taken 47th overall by the Giants, Nubin should be in the mix for a starting role out of the gate, in the big apple.

Tyler Nubin Locked in for New York Giants

Nubin will wear number 31 at the next level, which is different from his collegiate 27, but it seemed to align just fine on his newly fitted helmet. It’s also the same number as former teammate and forever mentor, Antoine Winfield Jr.

As rookie mini camps get underway this weekend, players like Tyler Nubin will be taking the field for their respective teams for the first time. It will be this weekend that sets the stage for a level of hype that follows into training camp, and you can bet Nubin will be looking to make his mark.

Rookies gettin’ fitted ⚙️ pic.twitter.com/00IKpASmdy

— New York Giants (@Giants) May 10, 2024

Now fitted with his first professional helmet, Nubin will be seeking to put a few marks on it for the first time. Although mini camp isn’t about smashing pads, the rookie is going to want to set a tone that suggests he is ready to compete at the highest level. With a significant NCAA tenure as a member of the Gophers, establishing his presence right away is a must.

Minnesota Gophers Made Tyler Nubin a Standout in Dinkytown

While playing under Fleck, Nubin consistently improved and made his presence felt in the box score. Last season his five interceptions were a career-high, and he had increased the tally by one each of the past three years. Remaining a consistent presence in the tackle department, it’s hard not to think he will make things work at the next level.

"You're going to get it all" 🥺 pic.twitter.com/egVqpkcLGR

— New York Giants (@Giants) April 27, 2024

Related: Vikings Successfully Call Giants’ Bluff, Land JJ McCarthy at Pick 10

Calling Nubin a ballhawk would be selling him short, but an all-around safety should have immediate value for Brian Daboll’s New York Giants. Nubin was a fan-favorite with Minnesota, and he could quickly establish himself to a passionate fanbase in New York as well. It remains to be seen if Nubin will be among the players that wear Guardian Caps in game, but that is not a possibility for NFL athletes.

All 9 of Giants safety Tyler Nubin’s interceptions from the last 2 seasons pic.twitter.com/vJegnQJp54

— Bobby Skinner (@BobbySkinner_) April 28, 2024

At the draft combine, Tyler Nubin has officially sat down with the Steelers, Bills, Texans and Raiders and that he still has a meeting scheduled with the Eagles. He highlighted his enjoyment of meeting with teams and discussing football strategies, learning about different defenses, and engaging with various coordinators as his favorite part of the combine so far. Describing his play style as “intense,” Nubin also spoke highly of Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans.

“The meetings have been great, and I’ve had an amazing time with every single team. That’s been my favorite part of the day—being able to talk football, learn about different defenses, and engage with different coordinators to understand their philosophy and how they run their defense.”

Tyler Nubin – NFL Scouting Combine

Raiders met with Minnesota DB Tyler Nubin and thought Antonio Pierce did a great job taking over for the Raiders last season pic.twitter.com/pWrEC2gzJD

— Raiders Report Mitchell Renz (@MitchellRenz365) February 29, 2024

It’s incredible to see Nubin ranked so high on draft boards, with a really good chance to be selected early on Thursday (round one). Nubin had an impressive career in Dinkytown, where he holds the record for most interceptions in school history.

Related: PJ Fleck, UCLA Wanted Each Other but Shambled Program Could Not Afford Him

He had the opportunity to enter the draft last year but decided to stay with the Gophers for another season, and it paid off. Nubin also acknowledged that Gophers legend (whose job he originally took over), Antoine Winfield Jr., who’s currently an All-Pro safety for the Tampa Bay Buccaneer (for now) who he most models his game and attitude to.

Nubin said it is Winfield who set the standard for elite safety play at the University of Minnesota, something he will now pass onto incoming phenom freshman Koi Perich (Esko, MN).

Tyler Nubin (@T_Nubin27) talking about how fellow #Gophers great Antoine Winfield Jr. set the standard and he takes a lot from his game.#NFLCombine

🎥:(@PewterReport)pic.twitter.com/skN2XE9RbI

— GoldGophers.com (@goldgophers) February 29, 2024

Man, he definitely set the standard. A lot of my game came from Antoine Winfield Jr. Just seeing him carry himself as a pro in the building before he was a pro, how he watched film, how he attacked practice—just his intensity and passion for the game. That’s what I really admired when I first got to Minnesota.

Nubin

Tyler Nubin’s Minnesota Gophers Career

• 55 career games
• 13 career interceptions
• 207 career tackles (143 solo) with 4.5 tackles for loss and 2 sacks
• deflected 24 passes (tied for eighth in school history)
• earned Academic All-Big Ten honors four times.

Nubin was walking highlight for the Gophers, known for his impressive ball hawking skills. Wherever he lands in the draft, it will be exciting to see him compete at the next level on Sundays.

Tyler Nubin's one of the best safties in America. 💯

He lived up to the hype tonight, with a pair of big INTs.@T_Nubin27 x @GopherFootball pic.twitter.com/XkoyZTXR3e

— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) September 1, 2023

Nubin played a ginormous role for the Gophers defense the last few seasons, and capped off 2023 with multiple All-America and All-Big Ten awards.

Tyler Nubin is Top-30 PFF NFL Draft Big Board

PFF just released their official 2024 NFL Draft big board and the Gophers safety just barely snuck into the top 30, right behind the only safety ranked ahead of him, University of Miami’s Kamren Kinchens. Nubin is the 5th-highest player on their board from the Big Ten Conference.

Tyler Nubin 2023 PFF Grades

Nubin, who is listed at 6’2 210 LBS, played in all 12 regular season games this season for the Gophers,totaling 768 snaps. Tyler’s final defensive grade of 89.7 ranked 10th among safeties. Kinchens carries a final PFF grade of 67.8 for last season (436th among safeties).

This season, Nubin recorded 53 tackles, along with five interceptions and four pass breakups. Over his tenure with the Maroon and Gold, spanning 55 career games, he accumulated 207 tackles. Notably, his 13 career interceptions set a program record.

Nubin is an experienced safety who can play both free and strong responsibilities. He’s reliable in run defense, but his most impressive trait is his anticipation in coverage. There are more athletic safeties in this class, but few, if any, can see the game better than Nubin.

PFF

3 Teams that Fit Nubin’s Play Style

PFF utilizes a trends tool that identifies players fitting various team styles, and for Nubin, it highlights the Green Bay Packers, Dallas Cowboys and Chicago Bears as great fits schematically.

Tyler Nubin had a heck of a 5-year career in Dinkytown. Even last year, when many thought he could be selected in the mid rounds of last year’s NFL Draft, he chose one more year, which only boosted his draft stock. He will go down as one of the best Gophers to ever play the position and he has a ton of potential at the next level.

The honor came on the same day Nubin was named to the Football Writers’ Association of America 2nd Team and just a few days after he got the same treatment from the Walter Camp Football Foundation.

Congratulations to @T_Nubin27 on being named a 2nd Team AP All-American❕#RTB #SkiUMah #Gophers pic.twitter.com/daXRsmXPjU

— Minnesota Football (@GopherFootball) December 11, 2023

Tyler Nubin Named AP All-American – 2nd Team

Nubin began the 2023 season on everyone’s draft board but still found a way to exceed expectations and climb up into first round consideration. Many thought Tyler would find his way onto at least one of the 1st Team All-America lists too, but he falls just short.

Related: In-State Gophers Football Recruit Jide Abasiri Decommits After Visit to USC

This year, the St. Charles, IL native grabbed five interceptions. The final INT of Nubin’s career happened in the final regular season game of 2023, vs Wisconsin. Heading into the Quick Lane Bowl on December 26, Tyler leads the Gophers defense in interceptions, ranks 2nd in tackles (53), and 3rd in pass breakups (4).

Tyler Nubin is the best player in the draft pic.twitter.com/Q1NBKHuSjf

— Keylow (@TheyHoedMe) December 7, 2023

Nubin will be off the NFL draft Board early, come April

Following the 2022 season, Nubin had the opportunity to declare for the NFL draft, with many anticipating he would do so. Analysts predicted he could be a day two pick.

Related: Get to Know Cole Kramer, Minnesota’s Quick Lane Bowl QB1

Shortly after the season, however, Nubin announced his decision to return to the Gophers, which surprised a fair amount of those paying attention. Tyler took a gamble and it’s paying off.

There are highly respected draft analysts out there who now project Tyler Nubin as a night-one pick in the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft. His list of believers includes Mel Kiper Jr. (ESPN), who ranks Nubin as the second best safety in the draft.

Related: Gophers Add Three More Transfer Commits to Cap Active First Week in Portal

Nubin is far from guaranteed to hear his name called in the 1st round, come April. Barring any setbacks though, he’s almost guaranteed to be off the board at some point on day 2 (rounds 2 and 3).

Minnesota Gophers Players Invited to Reese’s Senior Bowl

Congrats @T_Nubin27 & @brevyn_ for being invited to the @seniorbowl❕#RTB #SkiUMah #Gophers pic.twitter.com/i9TZP09B94

— Minnesota Football (@GopherFootball) November 30, 2023

It’s the 5th-straight year that a Gopher has been invited to play in the Reese’s Senior Bowl and the 49th to receive an invite, in it’s 73-year history (1950).

Related: Minnesota Gophers Football Transfer Portal Tracker 2023

Tyler Nubin – 1st Team All-Big Ten

Tyler Nubin is a 2023 1st-Team All-Big Ten selection and could go in the first round of April’s draft. He finished the season with 53 tackles, five interceptions and four pass breakups.

He’s played 55 career games in his Gopher career and we do not yet know if he will make it 56, by participating in whichever bowl Minnesota ends up playing in. In total, Nubin collected 207 tackles and 13 interceptions (UofM record).

Related: Minnesota Gophers Bowl Projections 2023

Brevyn Spann-Ford – All-Big Ten Honorable Mention

Brevyn Spann-Ford had a very slow start to the season and nearly fell off many NFL radars so being named an All-Big Ten honorable mention and receiving a senior bowl invite is a big deal for his future.

Spann-Ford made 25 catches this season, for 239 yards and two touchdowns. In his career (60 games so far), he collected 95 receptions for 1,061 yards and seven touchdowns.

After a series of highlights from throughout his career, Nubin thanks his coaches and teammates for making Minnesota feel like a home for four years but instead of making public any plans to enter the draft, he says, “… but I’m not done yet. I’m blessed to have an opportunity to finish out my degree and play one more season for my brothers, this team and the best fans in college football. Minnesota, I’m coming home.”

All money down on 27…???????? pic.twitter.com/RsJRXD7PlW

— Tyler Nubin (@T_Nubin27) December 2, 2022

Tyler Nubin is really good

Tyler Nubin has blossomed into one of the best safeties in the Big Ten and was recognized as such when he was awarded 2nd team All-Big Ten earlier this week. Nubin has already accumulated 151 tackles in his career and that number will only go up from here. We’ll see if he can top the four interceptions he produced in 2022.

By returning to college, Tyler Nubin is certainly taking a risk. Pro Football Focus had Tyler ranked as their #52 player in the 2023 NFL Draft class, meaning he would’ve been a day-2 pick, he he elected to go pro. Being drafted that high all but guarantees multiple years on an NFL roster and millions of dollars in salary.

But if Nubin has another big year and stays healthy, the NFL will be waiting for him again in 2024.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

On the latest Top-100 Big Board at PFF, Tyler Nubin slotted in at #52 and John Michael Schmitz landed at #68. In PFF’s mock draft simulator, Nubin currently lands with the Lions most often (21% of drafts), followed by the Seahwawks (14%) and Eagles (11%). Schmitz is most often drafted by the Bears (27%), Seahawks (20%) and Steelers (20%).

Tyler Nubin NFL Draft Profile

Tyler Nubin was a 4-star (247Sports) high school prospect out of Illinois and someone PJ Fleck was extremely excited about on National Signing Day 2019. Since then, he’s blossomed into one of the best safeties in the Big Ten and shows the most NFL promise of any Gopher defensive back since Antoine Winfield Jr.

At 6’3″, 205 pounds, Nubin has the prototypical frame the pro scouts are looking for. And in the last two seasons, the production has come too. He’s followed up the three interceptions he totalled in 2021 with four so far in 2022.

Tyler Nubin jumps the route, INT! Nubin and Minnesota’s defense can to play today! pic.twitter.com/0pt302Wf36

— Cam Mellor (@CamMellor) October 1, 2022

Nubin has totalled 154 tackles in his college career and he’s shown improvement, both statistically and to the naked eye, each year. The type of progression NFL teams are looking for. Scouts will also love the way he plays special teams. Tyler is a lock to contribute week one, for whoever drafts him, even if he can’t win a starting safety job out of the gate.

John Michael Schmitz Draft Profile

John Michael Schmitz could have entered the NFL Draft after the 2021 season and he would’ve been a lock to be a mid-round pick. Instead, he returned to school as the bona fide leader of the Minnesota Gophers offensive line.

PFF loves this kid. His grades scored in the mid-80’s as an underclassman part-time starter (~450 snaps) in 2019 and 2020, before blossoming into one of the best centers in the country as an upperclassman. His 88.5 offensive grade in 2021 was good for 3rd best in the country. In 2022, his 92.0 grade is easily the best of any center in the NCAA. 2nd place doesn’t even hit 90.0.

There’s no doubt who the best center in the 2023 NFL Draft will be. It’s John Michael Schmitz and it’s really not close. Zone running teams will salivate over what JMS will allow them to scheme up in the ground game. The Minnesota Vikings, for example, would be a perfect fit.

John Michael Schmitz: A zone scheme's dream pivot. He's incredibly mobile w/ nice lateral agility & burst, but with fantastic size to boot. He can reach block 3Ts w/ seeming ease. ⚓s solidly. Plays w/ a junkyard ???? mentality who ❤️ to finish plays. ???? ????pic.twitter.com/YTZ11p8MLT

— Jordan Silveira (@JordanTSilveira) November 16, 2022

Minnesota center John Michael Schmitz must love pancakes because they’re all over his tape. A true power merchant on the O-line who sets the tone. One of the top senior IOLs in the 2023 NFL Draft. pic.twitter.com/ukHprNf7IQ

— Bobby Football (@Rob__Paul) August 30, 2022

Will Tyler Nubin Go Pro?

Schmitz is out of eligibility after this season and he’s a lock for the Reese’s Senior Bowl this offseason. Nubin, however, did not enter the season with the same type of draft hype as John Michael. Instead, it’s been Tyler’s stellar play through 11 games that has rocketed him up draft boards across football.

It hasn’t been confirmed that Tyler Nubin will go pro, like we know will happen with John Michael Schmitz. But last week on the Mackey & Judd Show, Darren Wolfson (KSTP, SKOR North) all but announced Nubin’s plans to enter the draft following the 2022 season. Tyler would later walk on Senior Day (vs Iowa), all but sealing his 2023 draft weekend envelope.

“I know a big agent who has tried to secure [Tyler Nubin’s] services and hasn’t even been able to track him down. Tyler Nubin is so popular right now, his value is not going to improve. Tyler Nubin needs to go pro, should go pro. The expectation is that Tyler Nubin will play his last game at Huntington Bank Stadium on Saturday (vs Iowa).”

Darren Wolfson (Mackey & Judd – SKOR North)

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

Today, PJ Fleck talked with KFAN before the Gophers last open practice of training camp, and one of the topics included in the discussion was who will start at safety this season next to Antoine Winfield Jr. His answer was a bit surprising… (22:00 mark in player below)

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Jordan Howden started most of last season as a freshman, in place of Winfield after his injury, and it was rocky to start; but he got better (just like the rest of the defense) when Joe Rossi took over. Coming into training camp, he was the clear guy to beat but according to Fleck, true freshman Tyler Nubin is giving him a run for his money.

Andy Greder of the Pioneer Press asked PJ about Tyler, after practice tonight, and he reiterated how much he loves this kid. (07:18 mark of video):

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Live with the #Gophers post practice press conference https://t.co/9fyAUmzQ5R

— Minnesota Sports Fan (@realmnsportsfan) August 16, 2019

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So, it’s clear how highly PJ thinks of Tyler Nubin, especially as a freshman.

I chatted a bit with Ryan Burns from GopherIllustrated.com, while at practice, about the safety battle and he reminded me of who’s been getting all of the reps with the one’s… and that is Jordan Howden, NOT Tyler Nubin. I haven’t watched as much practice as Burns nor have I studied the roster NEARLY as much as he has but I think he’s definitely right (per usual). If Nubin was within grasp of that starting position, you sure think you’d see more of him repping with the starters…

Tyler Nubin was a great get for PJ Fleck and it looks like we will see plenty of him on the field, as a Freshman, but I’d be shocked to see him line up opposite of Antoine Winfield Jr., the Maroon and Gold take the field on August 29 vs South Dakota State University. I can’t wait to see what happens once the real games start playing out, though. That’s when we’ll really find out who belongs where.

Be excited about the young kids, like Tyler Nubin, that litter this team, though. There is a lot of young talent on this roster and it has size that we haven’t seen here… well… ever. A lot of that young talent will be on display come Saturdays too, because this is still one of the youngest rosters in college football.

Now that I think about it, I haven’t really heard PJ mention that very much of late. That guy is always changing his best.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

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