December 22, 2024
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NFL Draft: New York Giants draft St. Charles North grad Tyler Nubin in second round

Nubin led North Stars to Class 7A title game in 2018

By Michal Dwojak
Minnesota defensive back Tyler Nubin (27) celebrates after intercepting a pass during the first half of a 2023 NCAA college football game against Nebraska in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Minnesota defensive back Tyler Nubin celebrates after intercepting a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Nebraska in Minneapolis this past season. Nubin was drafted in the NFL's draft in Detroit. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) (Abbie Parr/AP)

Tyler Nubin did it all during his time at St. Charles North. Whether the North Stars needed him to make an important tackle, a big catch or pick up crucial yards, Nubin made the plays when it mattered the most.

New York now will get a chance to enjoy Nubin’s versatility. The Giants drafted Nubin in the second round of the NFL Draft on April 26, selecting him 47th overall.

Nubin was excited to show off his flexibility when he spoke with local reporters on a conference call April 26.

“I like to call myself a Swiss Army knife,” Nubin said. “I can move around everywhere. I can blitz. I can come down and hit in the box. I can play over top. So anywhere on the field I’m comfortable.”

Nubin, a 2019 St. Charles North alumnus, showed off that versatilely in college at Minnesota and became one of the top safeties in the nation the past couple of seasons. Nubin earned second-team All-Big Ten honors in 2022 and first-team All-American and All-Big Ten honors this past season.

[ St. Charles North alum Tyler Nubin carries uncle’s legacy at NFL Combine ]

After a couple of seasons as a backup with the Golden Gophers, Nubin started to show glimpses of his playmaking ability during his junior season in 2021. He had 52 tackles, three interceptions and one sack. As a true senior, he led the team with four interceptions and added 55 tackles, fourth-most on the team.

As a fifth-year senior, Nubin took his game to another level. He finished 2023 with 53 tackles, five interceptions and one sack, forced fumble and recovered fumble.

Nubin set the Minnesota career interceptions record with 13 and ended his career with 207 tackles in five seasons. He got an extra year of eligibility because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nubin will get a chance to compete with the Giants as a safety right away because Xavier McKinney left in free agency and signed with the Green Bay Packers.

Giants general manager Joe Schoen, who spoke with reporters April 26, was excited about everything Nubin brings to the team.

“[He’s] just a good football player,” Schoen said. “Culture changer at the University of Minnesota and he’s going to bring that mentality here. ... Just a really special kid that’s a good football player.”

St. Charles North fans saw plenty of that talent during Nubin’s time with the North Stars. As a senior, he played receiver, wildcat quarterback and cornerback to help lead St. Charles North to the 2018 Class 7A state championship game.

During his senior season in high school, Nubin had 51 tackles and six pass breakups, 549 receiving yards and nine touchdowns and 600 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns.

Nubin told reporters Friday night that he couldn’t stop crying for 35 minutes after he was selected. He was thinking about the support system he had that helped him get to this point.

“My parents have been working so hard for me all my life,” Nubin said. “There are so many people and so many sacrifices that were made leading up to this moment. It all came out. That’s what it was.”