2026 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Nick Struempf, OL, University of San Diego

• Name: Nick Struempf
• Position: OL
• College: University of San Diego
• Height: 6’2″
• Weight: 305 lbs
• X Twitter: @nstruempf
• Instagram: @nick.struempf

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

I think football is a game that rewards your work off the field and I think what separates me is my work off the field. I’m able to move people off the line with my work during the season and the offseason every year.

What are your favorite moments from your football life?

I think there were a number of moments, the past season beating Cal Poly and the team relied on the run to win the game and I think this year we can win the conference championship and we have the guys to do that.

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

My dad definitely inspires me the most since i was young and played baseball as a kid and put in a numerous amount of work and in high school I put work in on the practice field and weight room with help from my dad and he inspired me to be a good football player.

What are you looking forward to in your upcoming season?

I’m so excited for this season, Coach Moore has us working hard on the football field and doing outside activities as a team and we have a new offensive coordinator Nick Fulton and I’m excited to see what he brings and I’m excited to get to work with my fellow offensive linemen.

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

Maxx Crosby, his story is really inspiring and how he sets himself apart with his motor from other guys because he’s not like Myles Garrett. I would love to pick his brain.

What are your favorite things about playing football for San Diego?

San Diego has a winning history from the 2010’s and I’m looking to get back there and win the Pioneer Football League and I think we have everything we need to get out there and dominate the conference.

What should we know about Nick Struempf the person?

I consider myself a natural leader and being reliable by showing up in the weight room and on the field everyday and I’m not much of a vocal leader but I lead by example by going out there day in and day out everyday.

What is your favorite offensive scheme and why?

Wide Zone, I like the way our coach Austen Jacobs runs the play and be physical and athletic on the line and most teams don’t see that and we like making big run lanes by being physical and athletic.

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

On the football field, I’ve started and been benched and I think you just need to buckle down and dig in and grind and that helps you to get back from injuries and adversity you never thought you could come back from

What would a team get in a player like you?

Someone who is going to come in everyday ready to work and get better and I feel I’ve just scratched the surface of my potential as a prospect.

What stands out about your film the most?

My physicality, in my film you’ll see I play through the whistle, and I dump offensive linemen five yards downfield consistently in my film.

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

Our defensive linemen Jae’Von Reels, he’s a freak and dominates in the weight room and he might not be 6′ 6″ but he dominates in our defensive line trenches on the field, and he had a pick six last year.