Team: University of Alabama - Position: Kicker - Height: 6' - Weight: 175lbs
Nick Gauna - was a walk-on kick-off specialist for the 2015-16 national champion Crimson Tide, from where he also graduated in 2016. When Nick’s good friend and Alabama starting kicker Adam Griffith decided to stay for a fifth year, Nick transferred to Austin Peay State University where he was the starting kicker and punter. Despite few opportunities, Nick set a school record when he kicked a 52-yard field goal against Eastern Kentucky on November 12, 2016.
Nick recently had a very impressive showing at Coach Zauner’s 2017 Senior College Combine held February 24-26, 2017, in Gilbert, Arizona (the same combine attended by Aldrick Rosas in 2016, who was signed by the NY Giants earlier this year). Despite suffering the effects of a pulled-quad, Nick averaged 68.75 yards per kick-off, which places him in the top-10 of all kickers at this combine over the past two years. Despite the injury and the fact that he was kicking for raw distance, Nick was in the top half of all combine kickers for the past two-years in hangtime. On top of that, Nick was 7-8 in field goals.
Nick’s University of Alabama film can be seen at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bh8ZGHxxT5E.
Video of Nick’s Coach Zauner combine can be seen at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irLaLCcI-Y8.
Nick’s Austin Peay film can be seen at
Team: Colorado State Rams - Position: Fullback/Tight End - Height: 6'3" - Weight: 240lbs
Nolan Peralta - is a devastating blocker -- as even a brief review of his highlight film located at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHEOIYeK0n0 will demonstrate (may we suggest having syrup at the ready for all the pancakes you are about to witness).
At 6'3", 240 pounds, Nolan possesses the size, motor, foot speed, and quickness to create match-up nightmares. His 7.27 3-cone drill at his March 8, 2017, Pro Day matches up well to this year's Indianapolis combine RB class. And as this year's Superbowl, featuring two teams with stand-out full backs demonstrates, rumors of the demise of the versatile NFL fullback are greatly exaggerated.
In addition to an obvious passion, which jumps off his film, Nolan is an extremely intelligent young man. A coach's son, Nolan was a valedictorian at Elsinore HS in Wildomar, Calif., about halfway between Los Angeles and San Diego, team captain, and an all-academic Mountain West three years in a row (he graduated CSU with a 3.68 gpa with a major in biological science).
A fuller bio of this incredible young man and football player can be found at http://www.csurams.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/peralta_nolan00.html.
Team: Colorado State Rams – Position: Slot Receiver – Height: 5’9” – Weight: 170lbs
Robert is an electrifying athlete who started his career as a walk-on before earning a full-scholarship. In addition to being a stand-out receiver, Robert set a school record with a 91-yard punt return against San Diego State during the 2016 season. In high-school, Robert was a four-year honor roll student who lettered in both football and track and field.
A review of his highlight tape illustrates the obvious skills of this versatile and remarkable young man and athlete:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVa2Z0hBCU0.
A fuller biography from the Colorado State website can be seen here: http://www.csurams.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/robert_ruiz_815847.html