2024 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Nicolas Pilichos, OL, Acadia University

• Name: Nicolas Pilichos
• Position: Offensive Line
• College: Acadia University
• Height: 6’4”
• Weight: 295lbs
• Twitter: @nickpilichos
• Instagram: @nickpilichos

What makes you a top prospect at your position in the 2024 NFL Draft? 

What makes me a top prospect at my position in the 2024 NFL Draft is my length and mobility combined with my tenacity and competitiveness. 

At what age were you first interested in the sport of football?

I was interested in the sport of football later than most. My Dad got me interested in watching football at a young fairly age, but I only started playing football in grade 11. 

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

What NFL teams should know about me is that I am a reliable player. I will always know my assignment and execute it with intensity and tenacity. 

If you could donate to one cause in the world, what would it be? 

If I could donate to one cause, it would be supporting kids who would like to participate in all sports but cannot as a result of financial limitations. 

What is the best advice you have ever received? 

The best advice I have ever received is the concept of servant leadership. When I was a rookie at Acadia University, several of the veterans on the team took me under their wing to be a mentor for me. They did so because that is what was done for them when they were rookies on the team. Now that I am a veteran on my team, I strive to pay the leadership forward to the younger players on the team. “The whole is greater than the sum of its parts”. 

Who was your childhood hero? 

Both my parents were my childhood heroes. They are the hardest-working individuals I know. 

Who is the most underrated teammate in your locker room at your school? 

There are a lot of guys I could put forward for a most underrated teammate. However, a name that comes to mind is linebacker, Spencer Richard. Although Spencer is a prolific starter for us at linebacker, I do not feel like he gets the credit he deserves. Spencer is one of the smartest, toughest, and hardest-working players I know. He also finished 3rd in our conference last year in tackles. 

What is your biggest pet peeve? 

My biggest pet peeve is seeing athletes disrespect the support staff; athletic therapists and strength and conditioning coaches. Those individuals are the unsung heroes of every sports team and typically volunteer copious amounts of their time for the wellbeing of the team. 

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

The hardest moment in my life to overcome was the 2nd semester of my 3rd year. During that semester, I was experiencing extreme burnout and subsequent mental health stress as a result of being enrolled in a full course load, playing a varsity sport, working two part-time jobs, and volunteering for several organizations within Acadia University. To overcome that adversity; I had to improve my time management skills, learn how to say “no”, and most importantly, put my head down and keep working. 

Tell me something about your school and why it is so special to you?

There are so many special things about my school, Acadia University. However, if I had to choose one thing, it would be the emphasis it places on academics for its student-athletes. I am lucky to have been a part of the School of Kinesiology at Acadia University where I have been able to receive my Clinical Exercise Physiologist Certification! This has been a goal of mine for several years. 

What is your favorite snack food? 

It is so hard to pick a favorite snack food. But, I will go with either Doritos or Sunchips. 

What is the best part of football? 

The best part of football, as an offensive lineman, is when the offense goes on a 10+ play drive and scores. By the end of the drive the defensive line is tired and cranky, and you know there’s nothing they can do to stop you running the ball down their throats. 

If you could sell yourself in one sentence what would you say? 

I am a tough, tenacious, and reliable player who will bring physicality and competitiveness to your team. 

If you could compare your play to one player in the NFL who would it be? 

Jason Kelce or Elgton Jenkins.

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

Laurent Duvernay Tardif, Sidney Crosby, and Eric Cressey. I would love to chat to Laurent Duvernay-Tardif about his life and the sacrifices he has had to make to pursue football and medicine, simultaneously. Sidney Crosby grew up 15 minutes away from my hometown and was a huge role model to me growing up playing hockey. He seems like the most down-to-earth guy and I would love to chat with him. Lastly, I am passionate about exercise physiology and strength and conditioning and would love to meet Eric Cressey to pick his brain.