Interview: Road-Grading Versatile 2019 OL Nicholas Peck is Dominating the Trenches for Colony

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

Ask any running back and they will tell you there is nothing better than following the block of an offensive lineman blowing defensive tackles and linebackers off their feet. Quarterbacks will tell you something similar in that they love throwing behind a lineman that keeps them off the ground while they deliver strikes downfield to their playmakers. In the most simplistic of ways, this summarizes the season for Class of 2019 Colony High School lineman Nicholas Peck.

Peck is big and strong, listed at 6-4, 303 pounds, with a bench press max north of 300 pounds and a squat max right at 500. In addition to being a grind-it-out lineman with a nasty streak finishing plays, he is also versatile with the footwork capable of playing guard and tackle. If that is not enough, he can play center and long snap making him an ideal next level fit for a whole lot of teams. And, a whole lot of teams are seeing the light on Peck. The Ontario (CA) area talent is receiving interest from Pac-12 schools like Stanford and Oregon State to Ohio State and Oklahoma State.

With National Signing Day nearing, the fervor for Peck is about to take off. As the varying levels of interest start to take a more serious tone, college coaches will be happy to know that Peck is getting it done in the classroom with a 3.89 cumulative GPA and a 21 scored on the ACT.

In a Recruiting News Guru catch-up interview, I got a few minutes with Peck covering his senior season and growing recruiting process.

Interview

Nick, the Titans have been in some knockdown-grind it out kind of games this season. How have all the hard-fought games made you a better lineman?

“The hard-fought games have made me better. With games coming down to the wire, there is a bigger focus on technique. When you are tired and fatigued, you have to use technique to get the job done. A lot of the games we’ve played have been won in the trenches using technique and desire. That is why we have rushed for so many yards this season.”

Nice transition to my next question. The ground game has produced over 2,400-yards this season, how has your run blocking game improved this year helping to produce all of those yards?

“My run blocking has improved a lot this year. I played basketball in the offseason, that has helped my foot work especially on traps and pulls. I have gotten quicker overall with my footwork. I like to get to the second level and get on the linebacker to finish them off; I like being nasty out there. Elijah Monroe will break off a long run if we give him a hole. The comradery among the offensive linemen is another big thing. We work well together.”

What about your pass blocking?

“My pass has improved a lot as well. We have played a lot of good quick defensive linemen this year. I have to get out of my stance quicker and move quicker against these guys. I watch NFL guys to see how they move. I watch their feet and how they stay low in pass set to help improve my own game.”

What are some of the areas of your game you are constantly working on each day in practice?

“I work on my hands, footwork, and reading what the defense is doing. In games, you have to read it and I make the blocking calls so we can have overall success.”

Are you long snapping this year, if so, how is that going?

“Yes. Snapping has been going great for me. I am in the low 7’s and high 6’s with my snaps. And, I got a couple of tackles going down the field in coverage. That is another passion of mine, snapping.”

I fear for the poor punt returner getting tackled by you in the open-field. (he laughs). Do you guys track knockdowns and pancake blocks?

“No. I wish we did. I would like to have that stat.”

If you had to guess, about how many are you getting per game?

“On average, I would guess I am getting about 10 to 12 per game.”

Which game this season has been your best and why do you consider that to be your best?

“My personal best against Ayala. We were up 21-10 in third quarter, they came back and played well. To get the win, we had to have a game winning drive. They were sending the house, I was picking up two guys on each play. We went down the field running a trap block behind me the whole way. They were scheming around me but I was able to fight it off well.”

If a college coach were to ask you what are your overall strengths as a lineman, how would you respond?

“My strengths are my versatility. I have played tackle, guard, and center this year. I can play anywhere they need me to play. My footwork is good enough to play all of those positions. Another strength, I am nasty. I love finishing blocks. It is a great feeling moving a man against his will. It is a great feeling getting to the second level and getting the block to open a path for my running back.”

With recruiting, you have the offer from Toledo which schools are showing interest but have not offered yet?

“I am receiving interest from Colorado State, Utah State, Stanford, Oklahoma State, and Ohio State – they are new.”

Do you have any visits planned?

“No. I am waiting until January to take visits, but I am open to taking visits when the season is over in December if the right offer comes along.”

Back to football. The Titans close the season out with Alta Loma on Friday, what kind of game are you expecting from the Braves defense?

“What we are expecting from them is a hard-fought game. We both came over into this league together. We are both trying to make the playoffs. The game will come down to the play in the trenches.”

The game is your last regular season home game at Colony, what will that moment be like for you after all the hard work you have put into your game and the team?

“That will be surreal. High school was a journey for me, I learned a lot about myself. Walking out with my parents on Friday, after all the hard work I put in, it will be an amazing feeling. I am excited for it. I cannot wait to play on Friday.”

Nick, I appreciate your time today. Good luck against Alta Loma and in the playoffs.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: Colony HS; Nicholas Peck

Photo credit: Raymond Joyce Photography; @RJPSports