2021 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Tyler Piekarz
, OG, Wagner College

• Name: Tyler Piekarz
• Height: 6’6″
• Weight: 305 lbs
• Position: OG
• College: Wagner College
• Twitter: @tyler_piekarz
• Instagram: tyler_piekarz

What is your major/minor? Did you participate in any other activities or campus organizations other than football?
My major was sociology with a concentration in criminology. I’m currently enrolled to get my MBA in marketing. I have not participated in any other organizations.

What do your teammates say is your best quality?
My work ethic. My teammates can expect 110% out of me in every drill, play, or run. I never want to let any player down on the field by not giving it my all. 

What kind of role do you see yourself in on the team? What scheme and/or position suits your skill set?
I see myself as the leader of the offense line being vocal upfront and helping out the other guys on the line to achieve our goals. Without the offensive line, our offense won’t be able to achieve our goals. 

Who is the best player you have ever played against in college?
Kam Carter from Duquesne University. 

Which one of your teammates impresses you the most?
Josh Decambre. He comes out to work every single day. Best wide receiver in the NEC. 

Describe a time in your life when you were able to overcome a struggle.
There were 2 times in my life where I was able to overcome a struggle, the first was in Grammar/Middle school. I struggled academically during those years. I was placed in an IEP since 1st grade. I was unable to read until after 6th grade. I had a learning disability that I overcame. I was considered a late bloomer. I work so hard every day. My parent’s goal was for me to be declassified by the time I went to high school, which happened.

The 2nd struggle was playing high school football. I did not start sprouting up until I was almost a junior. It was hard to see my friends who I’ve been on freshman team with a move up to varsity, but I was stuck on JV. It was so hard that I was going to walk away from football, from a sport that I loved. My parents knew how much I loved football. They knew that I was going to be making a mistake by quitting. To make a long story short, I never quit. I continued on and I worked hard, grew taller, and stronger.  I got recruited. It doesn’t matter how you start, it matters how you end up. I ended up being the only one out of my graduating class playing college football on a scholarship. I graduated college with a 3.0, and now I’m continuing on with my masters and 5th yr Football. 

Check out NFL Draft Diamonds 2021 Small School Rankings

If you didn’t play football, what other sport would you play?
I’d probably play golf or basketball. Both of these sports I played in high school.

What is something that you are most proud of? What would you say is your biggest achievement?
Something I am most proud of is playing college football at Wagner College. My biggest achievement is getting my degree. 

Describe one of the most memorable plays of your collegiate career.
My most memorable plays as a Seahawk have to be making my first start against Syracuse and scoring our first touchdown in the dome. 

Do you have a favorite athlete or professional team? Is there a player that you model your game after?
My favorite professional NFL team is the New York Giants. The player I model my game after is Quenton Nelson man is just an animal on the field. 

Who is your favorite music artist? What gets you pumped before a game?
My favorite artist is Kodak Black. Listening to EDM before a game gets me in the right mindset for the game.

What is your favorite comfort food?
My favorite comfort food is steak. Everytime I visit back home, my mom makes me steak all the time. 

Do you have a favorite movie or actor?
My favorite movie is That’s my Boy, and my favorite actor is Adam Sandler.

What do you do in your spare time? Do you have any hobbies? Any secret talents?
Play golf,  basketball and corn hole. 

Who or what motivates you the most?
My parents. Without their love and support I don’t know where I’d be today. They’ve always pushed me to be my best self. They’ve been to every game in my career. Whether it was basketball or football, they have never missed a game.