2026 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Nick Kessler, DE, Illinois State University
- Name: Nick Kessler
- Position: Defensive End
- College: Illinois State University
- Height: 6’5
- Weight: 260 lbs
- Twitter: NickKessler9
- Instagram: nkessler87
What makes you a top prospect at your position in the 2026 NFL Draft?
Understanding my job and role in the play
What is one thing that NFL teams should know about you?
I am obsessed with getting better through training,
If you could donate to one cause in the world, what would it be?
Pediatric Brain tumor foundation because of my high school track coache’s son (Henry Sundermeier).
Who was your role model?
My strength coach in High School Joe McSwords
Who is your favorite NFL team?
Cincinnati Bengals
Who is the most underrated teammate at your school?
My entire defensive line doesn’t get enough credit for the work that’s put in the trenches
What is your biggest pet peeve?
Guys that don’t work hard and buy into the process.
Who is your favorite teacher ever?
Joe McSwords Phys Ed, strength training
Overcoming adversity is what defines character, what was the hardest moment in your life to overcome?
Playing the entire 2024 season and through the playoffs with an injury.
If you could have any franchise restaurant in your house what would it be?
Raising Canes
What is your favorite snack food?
Cheeseburgers
What is your degree in?
Psychology
If you could have dinner with three people dead or alive, who would it be and why?
- Ronnie Coleman relentless in the weight room and also dominating the bodybuilding sport
- Sylvester Stallone because of the Rocky movies and also a great action movie actor.
- Arnold Schwarzenegger also dominated his sport then went on to acting and politics. He’s an Icon in the sport of action movies and bodybuilding
What is your biggest weakness?
Overtraining and spending way more time in the gym
NFL Draft Diamonds was created to assist the underdogs playing the sport. We call them diamonds in the rough. My name is Damond Talbot, I have worked extremely hard to help hundreds of small school players over the past several years, and will continue my mission. We have several contributors on this site, and if they contribute their name and contact will be in the piece above. You can email me at nfldraftdiamonds@gmail.com