2023 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Nick Olsofka, OL, Holy Cross

• Name: Nick Olsofka
• Position: OL
• College: College of the Holy Cross
• Height: 6’3″
• Weight: 295 lbs
• Twitter: @nickolsofka57
• Instagram: @nicko_57

What made you decide you wanted to be a football player?

I played a lot of sports growing up and I started playing football at a very young age. My family has always been big football fans and I grew up watching football. As I got older it was the one sport I stuck with and loved being on the field. My grandpa helped coach me at a young age and it helped me fall in love with the sport very early on.

What are your favorite moments from your football life?

Some of my favorite moments in football are Friday night lights and the fun times in the locker room with all of my teammates before and after practice. The best moments are the moments leading up to the game where everyone is getting excited to take the field. The adrenaline leading up the the first play is the best feeling in the world.

Which one of your family members inspires you the most and why?

My grandfather is one of my family members who has inspired me the most. From a very young age he has inspired me to be the best in everything I do. No matter what sport it is he pushed me to be the best player I can be and has taken time to show me the fundamentals of the game. He rarely has ever missed a game in my career and truly has been a man I inspire to be like.

What type of energy do you bring onto the football field?

Many of people know me as a quiet guy off the field but when it comes to on the field I think it’s different. Being a center on the offensive line it forces you to be a vocal leader and bring the energy that is needed to inspire teammates around you. My energy on the field is a way to pick people up around me and to never let anyone see bad body language which can bring negativity to the team.

If you could hang out with any football player past or present for a day who and why?

One player from Holy Cross that I would hang out with for a day would be Anthony Dimichele. He played in 2009 and is currently one of our defensive back coaches. He recruited me out of high school and is truly a great coach and man. He genuinely cares for all the players and I have never seen him not have great positive energy. He is a great coach but an even better friend off the field. He has helped me through a lot and inspires players to be better everyday we go to work.

What are your favorite things about playing football for Holy Cross?

One of my favorite things about playing football at Holy Cross is the culture that we have. We are all brothers on the team and everyone of us would go to war for the man next to us. Coach Chesney has done a great job with bringing in the right guys to fit in the program and making this team a true brotherhood.

What should we know about Nick Olsofka the person?

One thing you should know about me as a person is that I love being outdoors. Whether it’s on a lake fishing or going to the golf course I love being outside when the weather is nice.

What is your favorite offensive scheme and why?

My favorite scheme is downhill zone plays. I love the feeling of driving guys back off the ball and gaining 5 to 10 yards a carry. It crushes a defense’s spirit when they can’t stop the run game right up the middle.

How do you handle challenges both in life and on the football field?

How I handle challenges in life and football is by putting my trust in God. I know that he has a plan for everything. So when the challenges come I know that if I look to him for guidance he always prevails.

What would a team get in a player like you?

What a team would get in a player like me is a very coachable player who will always work to get better everyday I wake up. I believe that everyday there are always new ways to grow as a player and a person. This growth will make you better player on and off the field.Over my years at Holy Cross I have played all 5 positions on the line so that just adds versatility to my game which can bring a lot to a team.

What are you looking forward to in your upcoming season?

I am looking forward to making a run at a National Championship with my brothers. We have a lot of talent this year and I know we all truly believe that we can get there. I am looking forward to the first game of the year and being able to get back on the field and start that championship run.

Who is the most underrated player you’ve played with and why?

The most underrated player I have played with is CJ Hanson. He is a player on the offensive line who has all the tools to be great. He takes coaching very well and has progressed to have a breakout year this upcoming year. He has become a force on the offensive line and will soon get the credit he deserves.