2025 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Eli Pancol, WR, Duke University

• Name: Eli Pancol
• Position: WR
• College: Duke University
• Height: 6’2”
• Weight: 205 lbs
• X (Twitter): @elipancol
• Instagram: @elipancol

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

I’ve always loved football since I was a little kid. My grandpa loves to tell the story of when we were at the beach, and he was telling his dad to watch as he threw the football as hard as he could to a 7-year-old who refused to let the ball hit the sand. I loved catching the ball so much that I would throw it up to myself and dive into the couch (since I grew up as an only child). Interestingly, when I got to high school, I thought I wanted to be a basketball player and took a break from football. It wasn’t until my junior year of high school that I picked it back up and immediately regained my love for the sport. It was clear I would be a football player when I finished my first year back with 13 scholarship offers with one of those being Duke which started my journey.

What are your favorite moments from your football life?

I have a lot of good memories of scoring touchdowns all my life. From elementary school when my first game of 4th grade I got the ball 5 times and scored 5 TDs. To high school playing my first game and scoring 4 TDs, 3 on offense and 1 pick six. And college ending my college career in Wallace Wade with 5 catches 3 TDs and 188 yards. No feeling in football will ever be better to me than scoring touchdowns, however over the course of my career I’d say the most fun I had was building relationships with my teammates. I have endless memories from camp and team dinners before the games that will live on in my heart forever.

What are you looking to achieve as a football player going forward?

There’s a lot I want to achieve that all goes back to a greater purpose of me wanting to be an example for young football players who endure adversity and battle injuries to know they should never give up. I want to prove myself and show that I can thrive at the highest level. I want all my success to give hope to kids who were just like me wondering if they’d ever be able to compete at the same level pre-injury. My story shows that not only will you be able to, but you’ll be even better. Adversity adds a toughness that most people aren’t privileged with getting.

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

Randy Moss. He was my favorite player growing up and in my eyes the best wide receiver to ever play the game.

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

I would have to say my mom. Seeing how excited she gets to brag about me to everybody is all the inspiration I need to go out and make her proud every single day. She’s my biggest supporter and has sacrificed everything to get me to where I am today. Raising me as a single mother I could never repay her for the blessings she has bestowed upon me.

What is your favorite offensive scheme and why?

I’m a huge fan of choice game. Having freedom to run a variation of a route due to the way a defense plays is like cheating to me. There’s no way the defense can be right and it’s just easy pitch and catch.

What should we know about Eli Pancol the person?

Eli Pancol is a high energy guy who is going to walk into a room and have his presence be felt. I love to dance and build people up with positivity. I’m a hard worker in everything I do and find joy in the little things in life.

What stands out about your film the most?

My effort in the run game. I’m not afraid to block. I’m not 205 benching 20+ reps on bench for no reason. My physicality when running routes and attacking the ball translates to how I attack a DB when blocking for my teammates.

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

I rely heavy on the people I love. Whether it’s my family or teammates I know I’m never alone when facing a problem and it allows me to find comfort and create solutions to the best of my ability. I’m also not someone who is afraid to fail because I know I’ll eventually figure it out. Failure has always been the greatest teacher for me.

What would a team get in a player like you?

A team would get a teammate who builds others up and brings the same energy every single day. I care about the fans of an organization and want nothing but to see my team win and will do whatever it takes to make it happen.

What do you love the most about the game of football?

I said it before but there is no better feeling to me than scoring touchdowns. The concept of football is so cool to me though. I love how everybody has a job to do and they train in their own special way to eventually come together as a team and operate as one. No other sport illustrates just how crucial it is to rely on your teammates the way football does and I think that’s special.

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

I played with/against a corner names Myles Jones who transferred from Texas A&M. I would say he’s one of if not the most talented DB I’ve ever faced. And one of my best friends now.