Former Gopher Tyler Nubin picked as NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year 'dark horse'

Former Minnesota Golden Gophers safety Tyler Nubin has been picked as a "dark horse" to win the NFL's Defensive Rookie of the Year award.

NFL draft analyst Lance Zierlein said late last month that Nubin is his "long shot" pick as the New York Giants rookie didn't make his top 10 list to win the award.

"Nubin was a four-year starter at Minnesota and his tape is filled with the consistent anticipation and instincts one might expect from a player with so much experience. His recognition talent and ball skills give him a chance to make plays on the football at a high enough rate to make his way into the DROY conversation," Zierlein wrote.

Nubin was selected by the Giants as the 47th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. 

The 6-foot-1, 199-pound safety set a program record over his collegiate career with 13 interceptions and made 207 tackles with 4.5 tackles for loss. He also recorded two sacks in his Gophers career.

He was a Senior Bowl Invite ahead of the draft and was named to the AP All-American Second Team and All-Big Ten First Team.

According to Pro Football Focus, Nubin ended the 2023 season with a 90.0 overall grade and 90.1 coverage grade, both top marks among FBS safeties. He also put up a 20% forced incompletion rate and an 89.2 grade on his snaps at free safety.

The Giants released its first unofficial depth chart on Wednesday have have Nubin backing up Dane Belton at the free safety position.