The phrase, bigger, stronger, faster has been prevalent around professional sports circles since the beginning of time. However, when it comes to the NFL receiver position, that notion has since been debunked with the emergence of excellent route running, sure handed, always seems to be open type of receivers who have experienced success in the National Football League. Ohio University receiver Sam Wiglusz hopes to continue his journey at the next level given the fact that he possesses many of the aforementioned attributes. Wiglusz has surrounded himself with top talent in preparation for this process and within the week, his football future will be determined.
We were fortunate to be able chat with Wiglusz about his playing future, potential of playing for his hometown Cleveland Browns, and much more.
Zenger: How have you been dealing with the leadup to the NFL draft?
Wiglusz: A little anxious and a little nervous. Since “Pro Day” you just want it to be here, but definitely very exciting to find out what the next step is going to be.
Zenger: How have you passed the time?
Wiglusz: I just kept working out, getting in shape, doing a lot more skill work, and catching balls. The things you don’t get a chance to do as much of when you’re doing “Pro Day” prep. Getting strong, getting fast, and catching balls. It’s a lot of twiddling your thumbs and waiting, but it’s fun too.
Zenger: How did you transition from the work needed for “Pro Day” back to being a football player?
Wiglusz: It’s funny, you work so hard on, Pro Shuttle, L-Cone, and 40 [yard dash], and ideally, I’ll never have to do that stuff again. So, it’s like, alright, forget about all that, start doing a lot more conditioning, run tempo’s, things like that. Catching jugs, getting with quarterbacks, and doing a lot of skill work. It’s kind of fun because it’s back to football. I’m not a track athlete anymore.
Zenger: One thing that stands out to me while watching you play is your sure hands, disciplined route runner, and big play making ability. That’s my takeaways, what do you feel you bring to a team?
Wiglusz: I definitely think sure hands are important. I’m not the biggest, strongest, fastest dude, but I think if you can get open and catch the ball, it’s hard to pass on anyone that can do that. If I get open I gotta make sure I catch every single one and maybe a few when I’m not open too. Being reliable and being able to make those plays when you’re counted on is important to me.
Zenger: It seems as if you took a lesson from every part of your football journey. Is that an accurate statement?
Wiglusz: Yeah, I was very fortunate when I stepped in the building at Ohio State through my last year at OU [Ohio University] to be around a lot of great football players and great football minds. I got the support and was able to learn from the people around me and gained experience. I was blessed in the way that my first year at Ohio State, it was, Terry McLaurin, Parris Campbell, and Johnnie Dixon. I was learning how to be a pro before I even knew how to be a college football player. I was around a lot of talented people. I tried to take a little bit from everyone I was around.
Zenger: Have you had any help through this process of preparing for the next chapter?
Wiglusz: It’s weird because no one really knows how to do it. You only do it once. It’s a unique process. I was fortunate to be working out with a couple of guys who I came into Ohio State with. My parents have been a big help, my agent Joshua Grady, Ian Berg, and those guys from GSA [Grady Sports Agency]. I try to pick the brain of people who have had similar journeys as me. A lot of people have helped me.
Zenger: You have played your entire football career in the state of Ohio, you’re a huge Cleveland Browns fan, and obviously that would be your first choice. Have you wrapped your mind around potentially playing in another state?
Wiglusz: I think it would be cool. I definitely want to experience something new at some point in my life. Can’t stay in one place the whole time. I think that would be awesome to experience a new culture and a new city. That being said, it would be pretty cool to wear that brown uniform. The passion in the fanbase is close to my heart because I’ve been in there too. To play there would be a dream come true.
Zenger: What mark do you feel you left at Ohio University?
Wiglusz: I think the way I handled my business every day. I tried to show that to the guys, especially in the receiver room. How to go about your business. Like I said, I was fortunate to be around a bunch of great people at Ohio State. I understand what it is like to be in a winning program and be able to take that next step. I would hope that I left that mark of, come in every day, work your butt off, win games, and then take the next step.
Zenger: Do you get compared to any receivers, whether it be for your stature or your game and is there anyone in particular who you have studied?
Wiglusz: I’ve learned a lot from a lot of guys. I get the Hunter Renfrow and Cooper Kupp comparisons being an undersized white guy, I hear that a lot. Those guys are fun to watch, so I take a lot from their game. I also take a lot from some of the studs that I played with, Terry, Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, Marvin [Harrison Jr.], Jaxon Smith-Njigba. I’d like to think I took a little bit from everyone I’ve been around.
Zenger: What do you feel will be the biggest adjustment from college to pro?
Wiglusz: I think the speed of the game will be a thing but believing in myself that I belong here. That was a thing coming into Ohio State as a walk-on. I didn’t know what the expectations were going to be. You gotta find that role and get that confidence that you’re supposed to be here, I belong here, and I can play here. I feel like I will have to redefine myself at the next level too. I can get open, I can catch the ball, I’m supposed to be here. Just finding that confidence early on can be big.
Zenger: To get that call from your agent or a team, what would that feeling mean to you?
Wiglusz: That’d be everything. I remember being younger and watching videos of guys getting that call, hugging their families, and crying on the couch. That would be unbelievable, a dream come true, and a full-circle moment. It’s been a long journey from when you first started playing and to have it all come down to that, it would be unbelievable.
