Nick Gargiulo the 'heart and soul' of offensive line
Tyshawn Wannamaker probably knew the question was coming before he walked into South Carolina’s media room. But he couldn’t help but smile.
It was a question about graduate transfer Nick Gargiulo. And Wannamaker gushed about the leadership ability of the offensive lineman born and bred in the Ivy League.
“Nick is a proven, born leader. He comes in and brings the energy every day,” Wannamaker said. “He’s a great guy to be around. There’s something special coming with that one this year.”
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Gargiulo came in this January just another piece of the Gamecocks’ transfer portal class.
The plan was for him to contribute in some way, shape or form but he’s vastly surpassed the minimum expectations for him.
Not only is he an almost guaranteed starter heading into the season, he’s become the lynchpin of this group up front.
“Nick Gargiulo is the heart and soul of our offensive line when it comes to the nitty gritty, when it comes to leadership and when it comes to bringing all of us together,” Sidney Fugar. “We all count on Nick. So Nick Gargiulo took a big step and got to be the guy here.”
It was a challenge for Gargiulo to come in and chisel out a role on the field and as a leader, but he did it relatively quickly.
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A captain during his time at Yale, he knows what it’s like to lead and has slid in almost effortlessly as an older, vocal guy in a room chock full of older players.
And Gargiulo–who famously ate a then record-breaking 10 burgers in one sitting at a local Five Points establishment–has a way of connecting with players and fitting into a system.
“First and foremost you have to earn the trust and respect of the guys. Initially, I came in here and wanted to prove to them that I was going to be a contributing member of the room in all facets. I was going to abide by the standards we operate within the room and contribute to the culture we have,”
“Then you have a good group of leaders at the top with Vershon Lee and Jakai Moore and Tyshawn. When those guys take a step up and take leadership roles as well, it’s relatively easy.”
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Gargiulo is going to be a massive piece for South Carolina on the field, too. He’s look at as one of the Gamecocks’ starting guards entering the season.
And he’s living up to the billing in preseason camp.
“On the field, he turns into a beast; pancaking dudes and dumping guys,” Spencer Rattler said. “He’s the full package you want for an O-lineman…He’s a great strength up front for us.”
