From Germany to UCF: Paul Rubelt on football, Frost, and line dancing
Paul Rubelt has come a long way, literally and figuratively.
The 6-foot-11 senior offensive tackle, believed to be the tallest player in college football, is preparing for his sixth year and final season at UCF. A native of Frankfurt-Oder, Germany, Rubelt was one of four Knights players selected to represent the program earlier this month at Big 12 Media Day in Texas.
Now a full-time starter and team leader – he also serves as the president of UCF’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) – Rubelt joined Ari Temkin and James Westling on Big 12 Radio on TuneIn to talk about his unique journey, his impressions of new head coach Scott Frost and how a German teenager found his way to playing American football.
From flag football to Power Four starter
Asked why he didn’t play basketball, given his height, Rubelt said his hometown didn’t have a basketball team when he was a kid.
“My mom signed me up for flag football when I was 13,” Rubelt said. “I played center for my local team, and when I turned 15, I started playing nine-man tackle football because not a lot of people played the sport back then.”
Rubelt later spent a year as an exchange student in Illinois, where his appreciation for American football began to take shape.
“Probably when I went to a Northern Illinois game when I was 16,” Rubelt said when asked about his first moment realizing how big college football was in the United States. “That’s when I was like, this is awesome.”
He also attended an unforgettable NFL game, Bears vs. Packers at Soldier Field, in brutal winter conditions.
“It was like negative 27 degrees,” Rubelt recalled. “My host family got me hot chocolate. I still have that cup at home, a Bears cup. It was nasty cold, but it was awesome.”
Rubelt eventually returned to Germany to finish high school before connecting with former Florida State and NFL defensive end Björn Werner, who now runs an organization that helps European players earn college opportunities in the U.S.
“Björn said, ‘Hey, you’ve got potential. Why don’t you come with me to college football camps in the States?’ I said, you know what? Let’s try it out,” Rubelt said. “I never thought about playing college football. Heard about it, didn’t really know how big it was.”
Originally committed to Arizona State, Rubelt was scooped up by UCF after that opportunity fell through. That was way back in December 2019 when Josh Heupel coached the Knights.
Embracing American life
After developing behind the scenes for several years, Rubelt earned a starting role in 2024, starting all 12 games at right tackle and grading out at 78.7% in pass protection, second best among UCF’s starters.
He’s also fully embraced the culture of his adopted country. Rubelt drew laughs during the interview when asked if he was a soccer fan.
“No. I very much dislike soccer,” he said.
The hosts were surprised. He was asked, ‘How American are you?’
“I have two pairs of cowboy boots,” Rubelt said. “I have a cowboy hat. I go line dancing at a club in Orlando. It’s called Cowboys.”
He admitted his 6-foot-11 frame doesn’t always mix well with a crowded dance floor.
“I step on people’s feet,” he joked.
While he proudly represents Germany and still has family there, Rubelt says he’s deeply grateful for the opportunity he found in the United States and at UCF.
“I try to fit in. I came here as an international student, as an outsider almost. This country has given me a big opportunity and I’m trying to adapt as much as I can. I’ll always be German.”
Football in Germany continues to grow
American football remains a niche sport in Germany, but that’s changing fast, Rubelt said.
“It’s definitely growing. Especially the NFL, now they’re playing two, three, maybe more games a year in Europe,” he said. “Out of all Europe, Germany probably has the biggest football fan base.”
Rubelt credited much of that growth to Werner, whose popular Football Bromance podcast and live TV appearances have helped raise the sport’s profile.
“Every year they show the Super Bowl. So people are starting to really love American football,” Rubelt said.
Thoughts on Frost
Rubelt said he’s excited to play for head coach Scott Frost, who returned to UCF this offseason for a second stint at the helm.
“I think he’s an awesome guy,” Rubelt said. “He’s been here before. This is kind of his home away from home. He used to play football himself, which I really appreciate.”
He said Frost’s presence in the facility and the way he interacts with players has already made an impact.
“He’s all in. You can feel it. I can go talk to him at any time. Great guy on and off the field.”
Rubelt, who declared he will be in the NFL next year, says he’s looking forward to his final college season.
“College football is just awesome,” he said. “I love the spirit behind it, how everyone supports their schools. It’s amazing.”
