NFL DraftProspect Interviews

2020 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Nicholas DiCairano, K, Endicott College

Nick DiCairano was the first Endicott College player named to the Associated Press All-American team
  • Name: Nicholas DiCairano
  • Height: 6’0
  • Weight: 180
  • Position: PK
  • College: Endicott College
  • Twitter: @NickDiCairano_5

Tell us about your hometown, and what you love most about it?

•  I’m from Trumbull, Connecticut. It’s apart of Fairfield County and the thing I love most is being near the ocean. I’m an avid fisherman and love to surf cast for Striped Bass. I love being in an area where there are so many outdoor activities. 

List these three in order of importance and why: Film Study, Strength and Conditioning and Practice?

•  For the Placekicker position, I think the order would be Practice, Strength and Conditioning, then Film Study. Practice makes perfect. The PK position is something that is based solely off of muscle memory. Compared to different positions on the football field which are reactionary, Placekicking is very unique. Next, I would say Strength and Conditioning because it’s not just physical ability, but also mental toughness. Placekickers need to be not just very athletic but mentally sharp in every aspect. Lastly, I would say Film Study because no matter what team a PK faces, the operation time and technique will determine a make or a miss. 

What do you worry about, and why?

•  I really don’t stress about a lot of things. I believe everything happens for a reason and to not worry about things in life I can’t control. There will always be adversity in every facet of life, but it’s how someone deals with their struggles that determine their character.

Give me an example of when you failed at something. How did you react and how did you overcome failure?

•  I missed at kick against UNE. At the time, I was perfect on the season and leading the country in Field Goal Percentage. It was an easy kick, and I’m glad I missed it. I learned that no matter what kick I take nowadays; it doesn’t matter past results. Now, I take the approach just one kick at a time. 

What do your teammates say is your best quality?

•   My charisma. My teammates would say I bring a ton of energy and juice into whatever activity we have. 

Who is the best player you have ever played against in college?

•  From a specialist standpoint, Cole Tracy from Assumption/LSU was a great PK. I really admired his accuracy. From a non-specialist standpoint, his teammate Deonte Harris. He was an absolutely dominant kick returner and there’s a reason he’s on an NFL roster currently. 

What would your career be if you couldn’t play football? 

•  I would want to be a lawyer or politician. I’m currently studying for the LSAT (Law School Admission Test), in hopes that I can really make a difference in impoverished communities after I graduate from Law School.

Room, desk, and car – which do you clean first?

•  Room. My room is where I live and a clean room makes me feel really productive. Next would be desk because my desk is where I do all my work and where I study. Last would be the car because I really don’t spend that much time in my car.

If there was a disaster and you could either save three strangers or one family member, which would you choose and why?

•  I would save one family member. My family has supported me through every trial and tribulation I have faced and I owe all my success to them. 

If you could be any television or movie character, who would you be and why?

•  I would want to be Luke Cage. He’s a man of great character who serves his community and is an unstoppable crime fighter. 

Tell me about your biggest adversity in life and how you’ve dealt with or overcome it?

•  My greatest adversity in life was one that left me confined to a wheelchair for approximately 2 months. I had a genetic disorder called SCFE which left me having bilateral hip surgery. At the time, I played at the highest level of Soccer possible and was forced to quit. I took a chance, decided to try to kick footballs, and ended up walking on to a D2 school where I earned a scholarship after my Freshman year. I ended up transferring, but my journey showed me that anything is possible with hard work. 

What is your most embarrassing moment?

•   My most embarrassing moment was one of the first weeks of college football we tested for the max bench. At the time, I had never benched before and I only put up 95lbs as a freshman in college. It was embarrassing but I look back and laugh a lot because of how far I’ve come. I hope to put up 225 after this season. 

What was the most memorable play of your collegiate career?

• It was against Curry College. Coach sent me out to kick a 45 yarder against the wind. I had a great snap, great hold, and the kick split the uprights. I remember watching the ball go through the air and I held my arms up to signal “It’s Good” before it went in. 

What song best describes your work ethic?

•  Last Breath – Future

What is the most important trait you can have (Physical or Non-Physical) to help you succeed at the next level? 

•  I think mental toughness is the most important trait any athlete can have. You can be as talented as you want, but if someone can get rattled by another team, player, or the crowd, then they’re ineffective. 

If you could bring one person back from the dead for one day, who would it be and why?

•  I would love to speak with my grandfather. He was an Italian farmer who lived in the mountains. His perspective on life would be really eye-opening and insightful. 

If you were to open a dance club, what would you name it? 

•  “Deek’s”

Who is the most underrated player in the NFL? 

•  Sam Darnold

Would you rather be liked or respected, and why?

•  Respected. Respect is earned whereas people can be liked for physical qualities. Respect is based on character, and to me, someone’s character is the most important thing someone can possess.

What player who had his career derailed by off-field issues do you feel for the most and why?

•   I feel for Josh Gordon because I think he’s made an active effort to get his life back on track. By deliberately stepping away from football to focus on himself I think he’s made a good choice. I respect his efforts to try to get back onto the right path.

Do you love to win, or hate to lose?

•  I hate losing. I am an absolute competitor in everything I do. Whether someone fails or succeeds there is always something that can be learned. 

Who has been the biggest influence on your life and explain why?

• The biggest influence on my life has been my father. I’m the son of an Italian immigrant who was raised as a farmer. My father came to this country, learned English, was able to put himself through school, and now is a physician. My dad’s story is extremely inspiring but it also has reinforced my belief that anything is ascertainable with enough hard work.

Damond Talbot

NFL Draft Diamonds was created to assist the underdogs playing the sport. We call them diamonds in the rough. My name is Damond Talbot, I have worked extremely hard to help hundreds of small school players over the past several years, and will continue my mission. We have several contributors on this site, and if they contribute their name and contact will be in the piece above. You can email me at nfldraftdiamonds@gmail.com

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