Nick Gargiulo
Position: Offensive Line
Height: 6'5" Weight: 320 Pounds
40 Time: Low 5s
Draft Projection High: Early 5th Round
Draft Projection Low: Undrafted
One of just a few impact transfers for the Gamecocks in the 2023 class, Nick Gargiulo started every game for Shane Beamer's team last fall. He played the first 5.5 games at left guard before moving over to center after an injury to teammate Vershon Lee. He finished the rest of year as the starting center.
The former Yale Bulldog All-Ivy League player played all five offensive line positions in New Haven, Connecticut, and at 6'5" and about 320 pounds, he has enough size to put that versatility to work at the next level. He is an intelligent young man (see: Yale), a trait that is often overlooked when evaluating offensive linemen, especially potential centers.
The Hula Bowl invited Gargiulo to participate in its showcase and all-star game, and scouts from the NFL and smaller professional leagues were in attendance. Gargiulo likely has done enough to get an NFL look whether in the draft or as a free agent, but with the other leagues scouting, as well, he likely will have a nice fallback option. Also, the WWE was in town scouting, and the big fella (and his affinity for wearing black face paint and eating lots of hamburgers) could be a good fit there one day, as well.
With the NFL, though, Gargiulo is in a similar position to Jovaughn Gwyn last year. Both players were projected somewhere late in the draft or as an undrafted free agent as interior offensive linemen, and both players are known for their intelligence and toughness. His stock is probably a little lower than it was after a solid final season at Yale (due to a hand injury and some struggles in 2023), but he built some of it back at the Hula Bowl. A team could take a flyer on Gargiulo this April, and it would surprise no one if he sticks in the league.
If he gets taken in this year's draft, Gargiulo will end up somewhere in need of depth on the offensive line. His versatility up front would make him a nice fit for the Dallas Cowboys. Though the 'Boys have one of the NFL's best offensive lines, several of those players are old, and having backup offensive linemen who can play multiple positions is ideal in the modern game.
Dallas has the 230th pick in the draft, and a Gargiulo selection would make all the sense in the world for both the team and the player as he could serve as a backup to future Hall of Famers Tyron Smith and Zack Martin or younger starters like Tyler Smith, Terence Steele, and Tyler Biadasz.