2020 National Scouting Combine Featured Athlete Nolan Saraceni, RB from Sioux Falls Storm

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Nolan Saraceni | Montana Tech/Souix Falls Storm | RB

Twitter: @NOLANSARACENI | Instagram: @NOLANSARACENI


Q: Tell us about your college (or pro) career and what the recruiting/scouting process was like?

A:  My pro career/scouting process had its ups and downs. You have to realize how competitive it is when you have so many others wanting the same dream and willing to do whatever it takes to get there. I was one of those players that would do whatever it took and play wherever to show what I can do. As I started my pro career in the IFL with the Sioux Falls storm I chose them because they have a championship mindset and winning was the only option. I wanted to surround myself with great athletes to push me to new limits. 

Q: What would you consider to be your biggest accomplishment in your sports career so far?

A: So far my biggest accomplishment is being resilient through it all and continuing to have a positive mindset. Everyone doesn’t get signed or picked up right out the gate so as I get each opportunity through this journey I visualize my opportunity and success. Every day I continue to work while no one is watching grinding for the opportunity for one individual to say yes. 

Q: What do you consider to be one of the more important things you learned from the coaching staff while playing?

A: Technique will always outweigh skill and that football is a mindset. As a player I see this game as if I’m playing chess. You gotta study the ins and out of your opponent expose their weaknesses and always think 3 moves ahead. 

Q: How was your career impacted due to the 2020 pandemic and what have you learned from the adversity?

A: Unfortunately I did not get to play another season with the Sioux Falls Storm. I truly believed that season would have been the one to launch me to the next level. But like I said earlier I stayed resilient and continued to get back in the lab and refine my skills as a professional player. 

Q: What was your major and what are your plans if football doesn’t work out?

A: My major is information and technology with accounting. If football doesn’t workout I already have that entrepreneurial mindset so I have been learning new skills and obtaining new knowledge to solidify my wealth in the future and competence in certain areas of finance and macroeconomics. 

Q: What would your current/past teammates say about you and your qualities?

A: My current past teammates would say that I’m very humble and extremely coachable. I absolutely love soaking up knowledge. The more I can learn about the game from coaches and players, the more I can be an asset to the team. 

Q: What has been one of the most memorable plays of your career at any level?

A: Two moments stand out to me throughout my whole career. First, when i scored my first professional touchdown in Sioux Falls. Second, a rivalry game where I ran for 4TD, threw for 1TD, and had close to 400yds in a single game. Came close to averaging 10yds per carry. 

Q: What has been your biggest challenge and how do you manage it?

A: My biggest challenge is taking in all that is happening out in the world today. I realize these are very tough times and right now we are all living through a major moment in history. I also realize that I have to gear myself to come out on the right side of everything because when it is all said and done there will be two types of people. Winners and losers. 

Q: If you could compare yourself to a pro athlete, who would that be and why?

A: I would compare myself to le’veon bell. When I watch film I see that I have very similar characteristics in the way we run. 

I like diving into macroeconomics, finding ways to scale my business, and just being an entrepreneur. 

Q: What is your biggest strength that you bring to a professional team and why should pro scouts consider you?

A: Consistency. I pride myself on doing things right consistently at full speed. My other strength is being a student of the game. I truly believe that being a student of the game will  increase your longevity when it comes to having a career as a professional football athlete.

Q: Are you involved in mentoring, a charity or do you “give back” or ”pay it forward” in your community?

A: I like to give to charity not in the form of dollars but in the form of time and essential items they might need. Usually a couple times of the year I ask people if they can donate their time or articles of clothing to help those in need. 

Q: How are you preparing for the 2021 National Scouting Combine and what are your goals?

A: I’m preparing for the combine as I should. My trainer measured my weakness before my 4 month preparation. We grinded to improve those weaknesses but continued to enhance the strengths of my game as well. Nutrition is a big part of the preparation process. I took the same approach as I would take approaching game day. Like a game of chess. 

Q: What would be your ultimate achievement?

A: My ultimate achievement would be continuing my education after school. A lot of people think after school all that education, tests, and assignments are over with. What they don’t realize is after graduation, regardless if it’s highschool or college, that is when the real education begins and those assignments, tests, and all that education just takes on a different form. 

Q: What do you enjoy doing when not playing football?

A: I like diving into macroeconomics, finding ways to scale my business, and just being an entrepreneur. 

Q: If you could make a positive impact on all of society what would it be and why?

A: The impact I would love to give to all of society is love and sympathy. I truly feel that a lot of people are always thinking and worrying about themselves and their success. They forget that there are other people in this world and success doesn’t come from money, it comes from fulfillment. some may say look out for number one but we have to remember it’s the simplistic things at times that fulfill us the most. 

Q: Who is or has been the most influential person in your life?

A: Parents. Everything I do is because of them, they work hard and give me opportunities that they never had in their lifetime. Now it’s time to give them their return on their investment with interest. 

Q: What is something unique about you that people would find interesting?

A: That I’m left-handed and that I play golf. 

Q: What is your dream job?

A: Being a successful entrepreneur. 

2024 National Scouting Combine

February 18-22 held at Grand Park Events Center in Westifled, IN. Accepting draft eligible nominations now!
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