‘Go Mode’ – Nowakowski Prepares for NFL Opportunity
Pete DiPrimio | IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Logic once suggested Riley Nowakowski was not NFL Draft material, that he would be, at best, a decent college reserve and special teams player.
But logic doesn’t measure heart, determination, and passion. It doesn’t understand the transformation that could occur if Nowakowski got into the right system that would maximize his strengths and allow him to thrive as few expected as a Wisconsin freshman walk-on back in 2020.
Indiana under head coach Curt Cignetti and offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan had that system and understanding of his potential in it. Nowakowski had the perception and mindset to join it and then capitalize in it, culminating with his key role in Indiana’s national championship run.
His IU Pro Day performance, which included catching passes from former IU quarterback Fernando Mendoza as part of receiver drills, added to his NFL Combine results and his one Hoosier season delivers plenty of optimism about what’s next.
“It showed I can run a complete route tree,” Nowakowski says. “That was big for me. They pick the routes at the Combine and here I was able to pick them. I worked with Fernando on that. We have a great connection.
“Catching balls with him was awesome. He’s a great quarterback. That was a big thing. Show my athleticism.”
Now that the show is over, it’s time to wait to see what happens in the NFL Draft, which begins Thursday in Pittsburgh.
“It went great, and now I’m back into go mode,” Nowakowski says. “It’s doing extra work and getting on your grind. Put your head down and keep pushing until you don’t have anything left. Until that (draft) day comes, there is light at end of the tunnel. Keep pushing until you get there.”
Nowakowski has spent his college career pushing past others’ expectations. At Wisconsin, he went from walk-on linebacker to fullback to tight end, finally earning a scholarship. At IU, he became a reliable receiver (32 catches, 387 yards, two touchdowns), blocker and, occasionally, runner.
“It’s been an awesome journey,” he says. “I got here at the right time. Winning a championship was special. To be here and have a Pro Day and go to the Combine, I would never have imagined it. I mean, when I was a walk-on, I never saw it coming.”
In the Combine, Nowakowski ran a 4.66 second 40-yard dash with a 33.5-inch vertical jump at 6-foot-2 and 250 pounds.
Draft analysts praise Nowakowski’s focus, toughness, and technique. He projects initially as an NFL backup with the potential to become a starter. He has the versatility to play H-back (basically a fullback) as well as tight end.
Nowakowski says he’s fine with any NFL role.
“It’s whatever they want me to do. Whoever chooses me I will do whatever they want. I’m willing to do it all.”
And when football ends, he’s prepared with a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering.