Nick Gargiulo Bio
Nicholas J. Gargiulo (born July 19, 2000) is an American professional football guard for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Yale Bulldogs and South Carolina Gamecocks and was selected by the Denver Broncos in the seventh round of the 2024 NFL draft. Standing 6 feet 5 inches tall and weighing around 141 kilograms, Gargiulo lines up on the interior of the offensive line and has been described as a durable, technically refined pass protector.
Before turning professional, Gargiulo built a long college résumé that began at the Ivy League level and finished in the powerful Southeastern Conference. His journey from a zero-star high school recruit to an NFL draft pick has made him a notable developmental story within the Broncos organization.
Early Life and Background
Nicholas J. Gargiulo was born on July 19, 2000, in Yorktown Heights, New York. He grew up in the northern Westchester area and first played organized football in third grade. He attended Somers High School in Somers, New York, where he developed into a two-way lineman while also playing basketball for the school team.
At Somers, Gargiulo won a starting job as a sophomore and helped his team win a state championship the following year. He earned All-League and All-Section recognition for that championship run and added All-State honors as a senior, when he was also chosen as the league’s most valuable player. He was named to the state’s Super 11 and Golden Dozen teams, yet he was rated as a zero-star college recruit.
Despite his high school accolades, Gargiulo received no major FBS scholarship offers and ultimately committed to play for the Yale Bulldogs of the Football Championship Subdivision. That decision set the stage for a patient college path that would eventually carry him to the NFL.
Path to American Football
Gargiulo’s progression to the professional level began with a redshirt freshman year at Yale in 2018, during which he played in one game. In 2019, he won the starting job at left tackle and started all 10 games for the Bulldogs, establishing himself as a dependable presence on the offensive line.
The 2020 season was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic, costing Gargiulo a year of development. He returned in 2021 but broke his fibula and right ankle early in the season and missed the remainder of the year. After recovering, he came back in 2022, was selected as a team captain, and earned first-team All-Ivy League honors along with All-New England recognition from the New England Football Writers Association.
Seeking one more season of top-level competition, Gargiulo transferred to the South Carolina Gamecocks for 2023. He started all 12 games, opening the year at left guard before shifting to center. He served as a team captain and received third-team All-Southeastern Conference honors, finishing his college career with 36 starts across center, left tackle, and left guard. He later played in the 2024 Hula Bowl and was invited to the NFL Scouting Combine.
Nick Gargiulo Career
Early Career (2018–2023)
Gargiulo’s formative football years were spent in the Ivy League. After redshirting in 2018, he became a full-time starter at Yale, where his technique and toughness drew the attention of professional scouts. His senior campaign at Yale in 2022 featured first-team all-conference recognition and positioned him for a high-profile transfer.
His lone season at South Carolina in 2023 confirmed his readiness for the NFL. Starting every game and serving as a team captain, he proved he could handle the speed and physicality of SEC play. Across his college career, he totaled 36 starts, with 17 at center, 14 at left tackle, and five at left guard.
Professional Career (2024–Present)
Nicholas J. Gargiulo was selected by the Denver Broncos in the seventh round of the 2024 NFL draft with the 256th overall pick, the second-to-last selection of the draft. He became the first athlete from Somers High School ever to be drafted by an NFL team. On August 27, 2024, he was waived by the Broncos during their final roster cuts, but the team re-signed him to the practice squad the next day.
On January 13, 2025, Gargiulo signed a reserve/future contract with Denver, securing his place on the offseason roster. During the 2025 preseason, however, he suffered a major ACL injury in Week 2 and was placed on season-ending injured reserve on August 17, 2025. His recovery and eventual return to the active roster are expected to shape the next phase of his professional career.
Notable Events and Milestones
Gargiulo’s selection in the 2024 NFL draft marked a milestone for both his family and his high school program, as he became the first Somers High School alumnus ever drafted by an NFL team. His transition from a zero-star recruit to a Power Five starter and professional guard stands as one of the more unusual developmental arcs of his draft class.
Nick Gargiulo Career Wins
As an offensive lineman, Nicholas J. Gargiulo’s statistical résumé is measured less by traditional win totals and more by starts, team achievements, and individual recognition. Across his college career, he earned first-team All-Ivy League honors in 2022, All-New England recognition that same season, and third-team All-SEC honors in 2023.
College Highlights
At Yale, Gargiulo helped anchor an offensive line that supported one of the Ivy League’s more consistent rushing attacks during his starting seasons. At South Carolina, he started every game of the 2023 season as a team captain, contributing to a Gamecocks offense that competed in the SEC. His invitation to the 2024 Hula Bowl and the NFL Scouting Combine served as additional validation of his college résumé.
Nick Gargiulo Family
Personal Life
Nicholas J. Gargiulo was raised in Yorktown Heights, New York, and attended Somers High School, where he was a multi-sport athlete. Public information about his immediate family, marital status, and personal relationships has not been widely reported.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season was expected to be a significant step in Nicholas J. Gargiulo’s professional development with the Denver Broncos. After spending his rookie year on the practice squad and signing a reserve/future contract in January 2025, he entered training camp competing for a depth role on the offensive line.
His 2025 plans were interrupted in the preseason when he suffered a major ACL injury during Week 2. He was placed on season-ending injured reserve on August 17, 2025, halting his on-field development for the year.
Looking ahead, the Broncos organization is expected to monitor Gargiulo’s rehabilitation closely as he works toward a return to the active roster. His versatility across center, guard, and tackle, combined with his leadership background as a former college captain, positions him as a developmental piece for Denver’s offensive line plans once he regains full health.