From the moment he walked through the Giants' doors, Tyler Nubin has been seen with the potential of becoming 'the alpha of alphas.' He's showing why.
EAST RUTHERFORD - Abdul Carter had just taken a seat in the meeting room during his pre-draft visit with the New York Giants when outside linebackers coach Charlie Bullen went right to the white board and started quizzing him.
Bullen wanted to talk leadership, testing Carter's recall on a conversation they previously had about the personnel and make-up of the Giants' defense. He wanted to know if the dynamic pass rusher from Penn State remembered the two leaders Bullen told him about on the unit.
Dexter Lawrence is the All-Pro up front, so that one was a layup. The second player? Not so much.
Yet Carter did not hesitate and answered the kid from the University of Minnesota. Correct.
That's the impact Tyler Nubin has already made within the Giants' organization just one year into his NFL career:
With the prepping of their eventual No. 3 draft pick in Carter, the Giants also revealed the confidence they have in Nubin becoming the next star in their secondary and an undeniable voice and presence for the franchise.
"That's just who I am," Nubin told NorthJersey.com and The Record after Thursday's training camp practice. "The way I carry myself is the way I always carry myself. When you know who you are, you don't really have to worry about what others think about you - it's a responsibility, and I already know what I bring to the table. I come in every day and take care of business. I think people notice that, but I'm not walking around making sure that's what everyone here notices. I'm just doing my job, I love this and I want my team to realize how serious I am about this, and how much I love this game and care about it."
He paused before adding with emphasis: "That's just who I am and I'm not gonna stop."
Later this month, when the Giants players cast their votes for captains, it won't be a surprise if Nubin winds up with a 'C' on his chest. His blend of personality and physicality is undeniable, and you can see those who matter gravitate to him. There is an edge and an explosiveness to his game, not to mention a purposefulness to his approach that behind the scenes the Giants have been raving about from the moment he walked through their doors.
Giants assistant general manager Brandon Brown predicted that Nubin could emerge as "the alphas of alphas," just because of the way he leads.
On the first defensive snap of his NFL preseason debut last summer, the 6-foot-1, 199-pounder delivered a big-time hit of the opposing pulling guard, showing both his downhill explosiveness and a knack for setting the tone with physicality.
"I've always loved hitting. I've always loved contact. I've always loved bringing it to people," Nubin said, flashing a smile. "I love the feeling that I have after - after you put somebody on the ground - that's really the high that I keep chasing."
Nubin oozes confidence and leadership. The ex-University of Minnesota Golden Gophers star was the first safety selected with the No. 47 overall pick in the second round of the NFL Draft in April and the Giants considered him tops at the position in the Class of 2024 as well.
There is a belief among teammates that, what Malik Nabers brings to the offense is similar to what Nubin represents on the defensive side of the ball. Toughness. Grit. Attitude.
And yes, the talent to back all that up.
The addition of Jevon Holland as Nubin's new running mate on the back end was significant, and Holland is a talented playmaker in his own right. With potentially their most complete safety tandem since Antrel Rolle and Kenny Phillips on the way to Super Bowl XLVI, the Giants believe the combination of Holland and Nubin can change the way teams play them. And if opponents refuse, it'll play to the advantage they have on the back end.
"He's a hell of a player and a great kid as well," the 25-year-old Holland said of Nubin, 24. "He's got great things ahead of him and I'm here to help bring that out."
Nubin caught himself at times in meetings last season holding back, fighting the urge to speak his mind out of respect for teammates, knowing his place might be viewed differently by players of varying ages and experience. It's not a fear of retribution, but rather a keen sense of awareness and an ability to read the room as a rookie.
That hesitation no longer exists entering Year 2, and we've already seen that just one week into training camp.
A true ball hawk with 13 career interceptions in college, Nubin makes plays. The lineage at Minnesota is impressive as he followed in the footsteps of Antoine Winfield Jr., a star in Tampa Bay as a second rounder, and Jordan Howden, who was a starter as a fifth-round rookie in New Orleans.
Nubin has the size and length teams look for in the secondary, but his instincts are what sets him apart. He has very good range and can play over the top. His study habits and understanding of opposing offenses should allow for Nubin to get to spaces where young players probably should not.
Nubin has that gift and it allowed him to grab a hold of a role the moment he earned the trust of defensive coordinator Shane Bowen, who is a big fan. That gift is a knack for being able to blend game-breaking ability with a controlled physicality and a rare understanding of offensive concepts.
As a rookie, Nubin admits that he was thinking too much, and that slowed down his ability to react and attack. The presence of Holland and the anticipated dominance and production of the defensive front with Lawrence, Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux and Carter has Nubin playing at another gear this summer.
The Giants said good-bye to Xavier McKinney after he played every snap in the 2023 season, and then Jason Pinnock, Nubin's running mate a year ago, departed via free agency as well. Nubin was on track to play every snap last season before a high-ankle sprain in December ended his rookie campaign.
He's very Rolle-like in his confident approach, unafraid to challenge teammates when no one's watching as well as out front with all eyes to see. Nubin is certainly not shy about bringing that noise, and on the field, you certainly can hear him coming.
“I don’t back down from anybody,” Nubin said with a smile. “I put myself to a high standard. I hold myself to a higher standard than anybody else around me can hold me to. Having that standard for myself, having that expectation for myself, just elevates me and elevates everybody else. There’s nothing that anybody can expect from me that I don’t already expect of myself.”
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Tyler Nubin: Making NY Giants believe in his leadership and his talent
Category: Football
