Thomas Fidone II got the call of a lifetime on Saturday, April 26, 2025.
It was the New York Giants calling to let Fidone know that they were going to select the former Husker tight end with the 219th overall pick in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
“I was kind of numb,” Fidone told Hail Varsity. “In my mind, I was just like ‘Well, whatever happens happens.’ So when I got the phone call, it was just huge excitement.”
Fidone said that it has always been a goal of his to be playing in the NFL, and now he’s one step closer to making that dream a reality.
“It’s always been something that I’ve wanted to accomplish,” said Fidone. “Really since I can remember, I had the goal of playing in the NFL. Just being able to bring this goal into fruition, make it a real possibility, it’s definitely, I think, a testament to myself.”
Fidone battled a lot of injuries during his time at Nebraska, including two ACL tears that limited him to one appearance in his first two seasons in Lincoln.
“I wouldn’t take any of the injuries back,” the Council Bluffs Lewis Central grad native said. “I think they helped me and prepared me to the person and player I am today … It’s helped me, taught me a lot of things like patience. It’s not always going to be on my timeline or happen the way I think it’s going to happen.”
When reflecting on his time at Nebraska, he said it was an up and down journey. After the injury-plagued start to his career, he earned a starting spot in year three and caught 25 passes for 260 yards (both second on the team) and a team-leading four touchdowns. This past season, he record 36 receptions for 373 yards but did not find the end zone.
“My experience at Nebraska was definitely a rollercoaster,” Fidone said.
Although Fidone has been drafted, he said he still has a lot to prove.
“I have an edge, chip on my shoulder, doubt me,” said Fidone. “I couldn’t care less what people say. I’ve always said I’m never going to be where I want to, I’m always just striving to get better.”
Fidone will be joining previous Husker players — including Nebraska teammates — in the League. He said that it’s really cool to be around guys that have already made the pros. Fidone has been working with a familiar face to Nebraska football fans.
“I trained with Niles Paul for a good bit here lately, recently and even before the last few years,” Fidone said. “He’s always told me that I’m going to be successful at the next level, just from what he’s seen from me and what he’s seen there.”
Paul, an Omaha North graduate who played at Nebraska, spent eight years in the NFL. Paul was a fifth-round pick who moved to tight end in his second season in the NFL after playing wide receiver at Nebraska.
Fidone said that he is excited to get started and will take advantage of this opportunity.
“All I need to do is get my foot in the door and knock it down when I get there,” Fidone said. “I’m just excited; as long as I got an opportunity is all I really cared about.”
