Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: Nick Dzubnar, LB, California Polytechnic State University

Every year, NFL Draft Diamonds brings our readers the best in depth interviews on the internet. We specialize in giving players an opportunity to showcase their talents on our website. We conducted interviews last year with over 300 plus players. We want you to enjoy our interviews, because when these young men are in the league, we will not be surprised, and neither should you. 

What is your name?

Nick Dzubnar

What is your Height/Weight?

6′ 1.5″  243

What is your position?

Inside Linebacker

Where do you play college football?

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo

How many teams were recruiting you out of high school?

Probably around 5 to 7 serious schools

How did you choose your school?

My father went to Cal Poly and my grandparents retired in the area. I grew up going up there and I always loved Cal Poly and its college town. I also wanted to be a 4 year starter while playing college football.

Where are you from?

Rancho Santa Margarita, CA

Who is your role model, and why?

My father is my role model. Ever since I started playing sports with hockey he instilled the work ethic and attitude that I carry with me in everything that I do.

Have any scouts met with you yet, and if so what are they saying?

A lot of scouts came to my campus during the season to watch film and get background info. I have not met with any teams after my senior season has ended.

Did you play any other sports growing up?

I grew up playing just about every sport a kid could play up until high school. The first sport I ever played was hockey. I continued to play travel ice hockey all the way up until college when I decided to stick with football through college. I also wrestled in high school.

Did you play any other positions in football?

In college I played every linebacker position. In high school I played linebacker as well as tight end and full back.

At your position, what separates you from others?

My instincts, my toughness, my motor, and my ability to run a defense.

When you are breaking down film, what do you look for?

When I break down film I typically watch a full game of my opponent without pausing or rewinding. After I watch the full game I will go back and start to break it down. I start with the formations and personnel to eliminate plays. After I can eliminate plays I break down the film further by looking at tendencies, splits, and checks. After all of that is done and I have a good hand on what the other teams offense is going to run I can focus on the type of offensive lineman that I will be facing.

Who was the toughest player you ever faced?

The center from Colorado State that was drafted last year was a good player to go up against.

If you could compare your play to one player in the NFL who would it be and why?

Luke Kuechly, he is such a productive player with a tremendous motor that plays from sideline to sideline.

What was the biggest obstacle in your life you had to overcome, and how did you overcome it?

I was a late bloomer in high school. I wasn’t a 6 foot freshman that weighed 200 pounds. It wasn’t until my late junior year that I finally grew and was able to reach my full potential. I was always smaller whether it was in ice hockey or football but it probably had a huge impact on why I am the player I am today.

Do you have any pre-game rituals?

I don’t have much of a pre game ritual but every home game my parents would come to my house a cook a huge breakfast for my roommates and myself before our game later that day.

What is your biggest strength?

Leadership

What is your biggest weakness?

My biggest weakness on the field is trying to do too much at times. It wouldn’t be because I didn’t trust my teammates but my mind set is to be in on every single play and to make sure that the entire offense I went against remembered my name and my number.

If I were a GM and gave you a second to sell yourself, what would you say?

All I need is an opportunity. My work ethic, my motor, and my toughness wont let me fail or disappoint. If you give me an opportunity your going to get a guy who loves the game of football, has never had any off the field problems, and someone who will do whatever it takes to get the job done. I’m going to make it hard for you to cut me. My football smarts, my instincts, my leadership, and my work ethic will earn me a spot on your team and you’ll be happy you gave me the opportunity.

Who was your favorite player and NFL team growing up?

Brett Favre and the Packers, also the Chargers.

If you could have dinner with three people dead or alive, who would you choose?

Scott Stevens, Dick Butkus, Muhammad Ali