Nicholas J. 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 before being selected by the Denver Broncos in the seventh round of the 2024 NFL Draft with the 256th overall pick. Gargiulo became the first athlete from Somers High School ever to be drafted by an NFL team.
Early Life and Background
Gargiulo was born on July 19, 2000, in Yorktown Heights, New York. He first played football in third grade and later became a standout two-way lineman at Somers High School, where he also played basketball. Gargiulo won a starting job as a sophomore and helped his team win the state championship the following year, earning All-League and All-Section honors.
During his senior season at Somers, Gargiulo received All-State honors and was chosen as the league’s Most Valuable Player. He was named to the state’s Super 11 and Golden Dozen teams. Despite his dominant high school career, he entered college as a zero-star recruit and ultimately committed to play for the FCS Yale Bulldogs.
Path to Professional Football
Gargiulo began his collegiate journey at Yale University in 2018, redshirting his freshman year after playing just one game. He won the starting job at left tackle during the 2019 season and started all 10 games that year. The 2020 season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and Gargiulo missed the entire year.
In 2021, Gargiulo suffered a significant setback when he broke his fibula and right ankle early in the season, forcing him to miss the rest of the year. He returned in 2022 as team captain and had his most successful collegiate season, earning first-team All-Ivy League honors and All-New England honors from the New England Football Writers Association.
For his final season of college football, Gargiulo transferred to the University of South Carolina to play for the Gamecocks in 2023. He started all 12 games, playing the first five at left guard before shifting to center for the remainder of the season. Gargiulo served as team captain and received third-team All-Southeastern Conference (SEC) honors. He finished his collegiate career having started 36 games across three positions: 17 at center, 14 at left tackle, and five at left guard. He played in the 2024 Hula Bowl and received an invitation to the NFL Scouting Combine.
Nicholas J. Gargiulo Career
Rookie Season with Denver Broncos (2024)
Gargiulo was selected by the Denver Broncos in the seventh round of the 2024 NFL Draft with the second-to-last pick (256th overall). He was the first athlete from Somers High School ever to be drafted by an NFL team. Following the draft, Gargiulo joined the Broncos as an offensive guard prospect competing for a roster spot during training camp.
On August 27, 2024, Gargiulo was waived by the Broncos during the team’s final roster cuts. He was re-signed to the practice squad the following day, August 28, where he spent the early portion of his rookie season developing. Gargiulo signed a reserve/future contract with the Broncos on January 13, 2025, securing his spot on the roster for the 2025 season.
Injury and Season-Ending Setback (2025)
During Week 2 of the 2025 preseason, Gargiulo suffered a major injury to his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). The injury occurred during a practice or game session and required surgery, ending his 2025 season before it began. On August 17, 2025, Gargiulo was placed on season-ending injured reserve, forcing him to miss the remainder of the 2025 campaign as he focused on rehabilitation and recovery.
Playing Style and Strengths
Gargiulo brings positional versatility to the offensive line, having started games at left tackle, left guard, and center during his college career. His experience at multiple positions along the line provides the Denver Broncos with flexibility in their offensive line rotations. At 6 feet 5 inches and 310 pounds, he possesses the size and length teams seek in interior offensive linemen. His college honors, including All-Ivy League and All-SEC recognition, demonstrated his ability to compete against high-level competition.
Notable Milestones
Becoming the first Somers High School player ever drafted by an NFL team stands as Gargiulo’s most significant milestone. His journey from a zero-star recruit to an SEC player at South Carolina, following an injury-plagued stretch at Yale, showcased his resilience and determination. Being named team captain at both Yale and South Carolina highlighted his leadership qualities. His selection to the 2024 Hula Bowl and invitation to the NFL Scouting Combine further validated his progress through the collegiate ranks.
Nicholas J. Gargiulo Career Highlights
Across his collegiate career at Yale and South Carolina, Gargiulo earned multiple All-Conference honors and served as team captain at both programs. He started 36 games during his five college seasons.
College Honors
Gargiulo earned first-team All-Ivy League honors in 2022 during his final season at Yale, also receiving All-New England recognition from the New England Football Writers Association. At South Carolina in 2023, he was named third-team All-Southeastern Conference (SEC), one of the most competitive conferences in college football. His ability to earn recognition in both the Ivy League and the SEC demonstrated his adaptability and consistent performance across different competition levels.
Professional Achievements
As a 2024 seventh-round draft pick, Gargiulo achieved his goal of reaching the NFL. His selection by the Denver Broncos marked the culmination of his journey from a high school state champion to a professional athlete. Despite the injury that cut short his rookie season, Gargiulo demonstrated enough during training camp and the preseason to earn a reserve/future contract for the 2025 season before his injury occurred.
Nicholas J. Gargiulo Family
Family Background and Early Support
Public records indicate Gargiulo was born to parents in Yorktown Heights, New York. Details about his family members are not extensively documented in public sources. His journey from youth football in New York to becoming an NFL player required significant family support during his formative years and development as a student-athlete.
Personal Life
Gargiulo graduated from Somers High School in New York before pursuing his collegiate football career. He balanced athletics with academics during his time at Yale University and the University of South Carolina. His social media presence is active on X (formerly Twitter) under the handle gargiulo_66. Information regarding a spouse or children is not publicly available.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season presented significant challenges for Gargiulo as he worked to establish himself with the Denver Broncos following a strong rookie training camp. After signing a reserve/future contract in January 2025, he entered the offseason program competing for a spot on the active roster along the Broncos’ offensive line. His positional versatility at guard and center provided value as he worked with the coaching staff to refine his technique at the professional level.
The setback occurred during the preseason when Gargiulo suffered an ACL injury in Week 2, ending his 2025 campaign before it could truly begin. Being placed on season-ending injured reserve on August 17, 2025, shifted his focus entirely to rehabilitation and recovery. The injury came at a critical point in his development as he looked to translate his college success to the professional level. Gargiulo will aim to return to full health and compete for a roster spot with the Broncos in future seasons.