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University of Minnesota Athletics
Wozniak Taking Game To New Heights
10/7/2016 12:00:00 AM | Football
In sixth grade, a growing Nate Wozniak went over to a friend's house and crushed more chicken parmesan than everybody else at the dinner table combined.
"I just kept getting more and more," Wozniak said with a laugh. "Ever since then I have taken pride in just eating really large amounts of food."
Now a redshirt junior tight end for the Gophers standing at 6'10" Wozniak grew into the tallest skill player in all of college football. He still eats a lot, but now makes sure to eat the right things. Wozniak has also developed a passion for the weight room. Since coming to Minnesota he has gained 40 pounds of muscle.
"It is all a testament of the weight staff and Brittany (team dietitian)," Wozniak said. "I just put in the time to work with them and schedule my lifts, my meals and do a bit of extra here and there."
Doing a bit of extra work may be a modest statement by Wozniak. Since high school, he would spend time in the weight room as much as possible. Frequently, Wozniak could be found there after finishing a practice. Now in college, Minnesota tight end coach Rob Reeves knows exactly where to find him during off times.
"He is a weight room junkie. He takes care of his body, eats right and works real hard," Reeves said. "He is lean. There is not an ounce of fat on him."
Putting on that muscle has helped the Greenwood, Ind., native pack a punch when he hits. Wozniak said he likes to think he has some nastiness to him when he gets down and run blocks; one reason he gravitated toward football over basketball.
"Even when I am just walking around I get people who ask, 'hey do you play basketball?' And I say, 'no I actually play football for the University of Minnesota.' I really do take pride in playing football here," Wozniak said.
Between his size and ability as a run blocker, Wozniak found many colleges wanted him to come in as an offensive lineman during the recruiting process. Anytime Wozniak heard 'offensive line' he would cross that team off his list. He was a tight end from the time he started playing football and was set on being a tight end no matter what.
Enter Minnesota.
"He is versatile," Reeves explained. "He is a heck of a big target running down the field and catching footballs. He has great hands and he can run well for a big kid. I think having a big physical blocking tight end who can be a threat as a receiver is the big reason why we have kept him as a tight end."
That decision has paid off nicely for the Maroon and Gold. Wozniak has two receptions this year of 25 yards or more (25 against Oregon State and 26 against Indiana State). He has seven catches total for 83 yards and has helped block for a running attack that is averaging 228 yards per game. Last year, Wozniak snagged eight passes for 75 yards in 12 games.
That Minnesota let him matriculate as a tight end was a big reason Wozniak committed but there were several other selling points. The Gophers still had to beat out the Miami Hurricanes who heavily recruited the big target as a tight end as well.
Wozniak fell in love with the coaching staff, the Midwest location and felt he could succeed in the business program that Minnesota offered-another decision that has paid off nicely. This spring he will earn his degree in Agricultural and Food Business Management.
"One day when the opportunity presents itself, one of the big goals I have is to have my own business," he said. "I plan to gain experience with an some entry-level positions once my football career is over. I just want to get a feel for business and see how other people do things."
Whether playing football or running his own business, one thing that will never change for Wozniak is the comments about his height.
"Sometimes," Wozniak commented on if they bother him. "It is hard for them not to but really it is just kind of fun. I try to switch up my comments back to people when they ask me you know, 'how is the weather up there?' I just try to have some fun with it."
Plus since starting his growth spurt back in sixth grade he has developed some good comebacks.
"I am a jockey actually," Wozniak said with a big grin. "Yeah, I ride horses in my free time."
