2026 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Gabe Panikowski, K, Oklahoma State University

• Name: Gabe Panikowski 
• Position: Kicker 
• College: Oklahoma State University
• Height: 5’10
• Weight: 190
• Twitter: @Gpanikowski 
• Instagram: Gabe_Panikowski 

What makes you a top prospect at your position in the 2026 NFL Draft?

I’m accurate, fast, strong and consistent under pressure, and have elite leg strength. I’ve proven I can perform in big moments, and I’m only getting better.

What is one thing that NFL teams should know about you?

I’m very athletic, I played many sports growing up and was originally interested in playing running  
If you could donate to one cause in the world, what would it be? If I could donate to one cause in the world, it would be adoption support and reform. Millions of children around the world grow up without stable families, facing trauma, instability, and a lack of opportunity. Supporting ethical adoption systems and providing resources for both adoptive families and birth parents can change the trajectory of a child’s life. 

Who was your role model? 

Tim Howard was my role model growing up. I was a goalkeeper before I played Football. The level of mental toughness he had was something that I looked up to.

Who is your favorite NFL team?

The Eagles! My dad is from Philadelphia. 

Who is the most underrated teammate at your school? 

I just moved to the school recently, so I’m not sure. That being said, I’m very excited to see how the season goes!

What is your biggest pet peeve? 

My biggest pet peeve is when people don’t give it. They’re all. Something that I say and follow is that if you are going to do something, you better do it with 100% effort.

Who is your favorite teacher ever?

Life is my favorite teacher. Not Many people understand the value of life and the value of the things we have until it is gone. I have learned to cherish the loved ones into cherish connections we make on a day-to-day basis.

Overcoming adversity is what defines character, what was the hardest moment in your life to overcome? 

One of the hardest things that I overcame was going through different foster homes. There’s not only abuse, but mental abuse as well. As a kid, I thought there was no hope for me and that I wasn’t going to find a way out., The family that I’m with now took me and my other siblings in and have given us every opportunity, a boy could ever dream. 

If you could have any franchise restaurant in your house what would it be?

I’m a huge fan of steak so it would be a steakhouse! 

What is your favorite snack food? 

Yellow kiwis

What is your degree in? 

Marketing

If you could have dinner with three people dead or alive, who would it be and why?

Nelson Mandel, Leonardo da Vinci and Socrates. Having dinner with those three people would be Inspirational. They’ve done so much in this world that I would love to pick their brains to know what it takes to be a true leader. 

What is your biggest weakness?

I can be overly self-critical, but I use that to fuel my growth and stay locked in on constant improvement.