Name: Nick Cofer
School: Heidelberg University
Position: TE/FB
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 240
What goals did you set and/or accomplish in your final collegiate season?
For my last collegiate season, obviously I had goals of being All-American, All-Conference and all that, but my main goal was to have the best season possible as a team and have the best record we had a team have had since I arrived on campus in 2017. Unfortunately I faced an injury that kept me out most of the season and from reaching some of those Individual and personal goals, but I was still able to be a part accomplishing my top team goal of having the best record we’ve had since I arrived.
Q: How do you think you took advantage of the extra year of eligibility to increase your chances of going pro?
The extra year of eligibility was great for me personally. I made immense strides in a lot of different aspects of the game, especially mentally. I feel like I became so much better at identifying things on film and then translating it to practice, and even games. After I got hurt, I continued to watch the film as I would have if I was playing, and help my teammates point things out on the field during games. That really allowed me to sharpen myself mentally with the game.
Q: What would your coaches and teammates say about the type of player you are?
I believe that my coaches would call me a one of a kind type of player. I know there’s a lot of things I am capable of bringing into the field. Whether it be intelligence, aggression, physicality, versatility, or even Leadership. I think my coaches would acknowledge that I am able to bring any and all of these things and more every single day consistently. Saying that, there’s always room to improve. You must always keep the knife sharp, and never become satisfied where you are at. I live by that saying and I hope to prove that to scouts moving forward.
Q: When you are studying film, what are the things you focus on to improve your game?
Being a tight end / fullback, I have to know every aspect and everything the defense is going to do. We ran a well – balanced spread offense at Heidelberg. I was all over the field all game long every single game. Attached with my hand in the dirt, in the H-Back / Wing position, in the backfield as a true FB, and even split out at any and all of the WR positions. That being said, I had to pay attention to every part of the defense, I focused on pointing out coverages, when they tried to disguise them, and when and how they would shift the their coverages. I also had to identify Defensive Fronts, and movement to show blitzes. The way we blocked and schemed the run game was dependent on these things, so understanding them and identifying them was crucial to the success of our run game. So being able to watch and focus on these things was my main concern during film.
Q: What separates you from the other pro prospects at your position?
If I had to choose one thing that separates me from other prospects. It would be versatility. Every prospect works hard and busts their butt to become the best they can be. But the way I can move for my size, as well as be in any position on the field and identify certain things to give me a better chance for success on the field I believe separates me at my position.
Q: What is your offseason plan to train and prepare for professional opportunities?
Obviously moving forward I’m going to get 100%. I feel great, my injury that I faced in the season feels amazing. But I’m going to focus on field work and getting quicker and faster. Focusing on nutrition, conditioning, and recovery I think is something that is going to help me with where I want to go with training. I plan on going to a pro day in the spring to hopefully turn some heads and show scouts what I can potentially do on a team.
Q: What kind of strengths and abilities will you bring to a team that will stand out both on and off the field?
One thing I believe will stand out on and off the field is going to be leadership. Being a 2x captain for Heidelberg, I feel as if I have proven that I am capable of being a great leader and showing people the correct way to get things done. On the field, I will always push my teammates to be the best they can possibly be and being positive to bring people up rather than push them down. Off the field, I can show my leadership by staying involved in the community and even they way I prepare myself in the film room and in the weight room. At the next level, I think it is important to understand that I won’t be the best leader in the room, so I would make it a priority to observe and watch how the veterans do things, to learn and expand on my leadership, to become a great or elite leader.
Q: What is your final pitch to the NFL and any other pro leagues?
To all teams and scouts, I am a versatile football player, I am capable of learning multiple positions and doing anything needed from any position. I’m ready to show that I can be an elite level football player and prove the potential I know I have as a player.