Giants select former Gophers safety Tyler Nubin in second round of NFL draft

Former Gophers standout safety Tyler Nubin is a New York Giant.

The Giants took Nubin with the No. 47 overall pick in the second round of the NFL draft Friday night. Nubin, 22, spent the past five seasons at Minnesota, tallying 207 tackles, 24 passes defended, 13 interceptions, three forced fumbles, two sacks and a fumble recovery in his time at the U. 

Nubin was the first safety selected in the draft.

Nubin, 22, became the Gophers’ all-time interceptions leader when he recorded his 13th against arch-rival Wisconsin back on Nov. 25. He was a standout throughout his tenure at Minnesota, improving year after year after year. 

Last season, Nubin recorded 53 tackles, five interceptions and broke up four passes. He also had a sack and forced fumble. He recorded a career-high 55 tackles in 2022 while tallying four picks and breaking up three passes. 

Nubin was a highly sought after defensive prospect and was projected as high as a late first-round pick. Legendary Alabama coach Nick Saban recently labeled Nubin the “best safety in the draft.” The Athletic ranked Nubin as the No. 46 player in the entire draft.   

Nubin landed one spot lower, but the Giants have certainly bolstered their secondary with Nubin. Not to mention, the last Gophers safety drafted in the second round turned out to be a pretty good one: Antoine Winfield Jr., who’s become an All-Pro for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.