Eastern Illinois offensive tackle Nic DiSanto (center) talks hockey, the best and worst of Detroit’s sports teams, growing up just miles from Canada and more in our Moving the Chains Q&A feature. (Photo by EIUPanthers.com)
By Barry Bottino
The house that Nic DiSanto grew up in sits near the Detroit River in Wyandotte, Mich., about 15 miles south of Ford Field in downtown Detroit and mere minutes from Canada.
The Eastern Illinois sophomore offensive tackle’s athletic career has a Canadian spin to it as well, as he played hockey for more than 15 years.
He’s played in famous rinks around the state of Michigan and in a high school state semifinal game. DiSanto also finds a unique similarity between playing offensive tackle on the football field and defenseman at a hockey rink.
Last season, DiSanto was named a Fourth-Team Freshman All-American by PhilSteele.com, which named him to its All-Big South/Ohio Valley Conference Football Association second team in the preseason.
Along with loving the Detroit Lions, DiSanto is also proud to share his appreciation for Detroit’s staple food – the Coney Island dog – and the beauty of Northern Michigan, no matter the season.
Get to know Nic DiSanto in our Moving the Chains Q&A interview:
You got the opportunity to start nine games as a true freshman last season. Was there one block that you remember most?
Against Tennessee State, there was a play right near the end zone, on the 3- or 4-yard line. I had a safety on me. I took him and put him on the ground and M.J. (EIU running back M.J. Flowers) had a wide-open hole into the end zone. (In the film room) all the older guys were giving me props. It’s definitely cool. I was 18 years old last year playing against 21-, 22-, 23-year-olds. It was cool knowing the older guys had my back and they could trust me.
At what point last season did you know that you fit in on the Division I FCS level?
I’d say around game four or five. In Michigan, I played in the smallest division, which is Division 8. I had only 230 kids in my school and 60 kids in my class. I was used to going against smaller people, obviously. The Bowling Green game (in Week 2) was my first start and I was kind of shocked by that. After that, it was smooth sailing.
What were the emotions of calling your family and telling them you’d be starting at Bowling Green?
It was unreal. My mom was going crazy. My dad was pretty hyped too, because I live about 45 minutes to an hour from (Bowling Green). So, there were probably about 40 (friends and family) who went to the game.
Tell us about your family in Michigan.
I have an older brother, Mario, who lives in the upper part of Michigan. I have a younger sister (Nina) who’s still in high school. She plays volleyball, basketball, soccer. My mom (Liz) is a judge in the city where I live, and my dad (Joe) is an architect.
You grew up along the Detroit River. What were the benefits of growing up in that area?
You could go to any school around there and everyone is friends. It’s a nice area. There’s a lot of nice people, a lot of nice restaurants. The sports are very good there, too.
How long do you need to travel from your house to get to Canada?
It takes me about 20 minutes to get over there. My friend lives in Grosse Ille (an island community in the Detroit River). He’s got a boat and you go out into the water and see Canada two blocks away from the house.
What are some underrated things about Michigan?
Coney Islands. Northern Michigan, because not many people realize how beautiful it is. And the (NFL’s) Lions.
Is there a Detroit team you love the most and one that you are most frustrated with?
Love the Lions. The (NBA’s) Pistons. (laughs) They’re kind of a lost cause right now.
You earned some postseason honors last season and preseason honors this year. What do those mean to you?
It means a lot coming from the small area where I’m from. Not a lot of people in my area go play football at the next level. The postseason accolades mean a lot. The preseason ones don’t really mean too much until after the season. I’m hoping the work I put in this off-season gets me those postseason accolades again.
You spent some time working out in Ohio this off-season. What led you there?
It’s called T3 Performance. The guy I was working with was Dale Rodick. He played D-II football (at Ohio’s Lake Erie College). We followed each other last year on Instagram, but I didn’t have the chance to go over there. It’s about two hours from my house. I hit him up in the summer and told him, ‘I’ll be available this date, this date and this date. Can we do something?’ He opened up my eyes a lot more to reading defenses and which moves I can use here and there. He’s been a great resource if I need to text him or call him.
What did you want to improve on this off-season?
I made the switch from right tackle to left tackle. That’s been a pretty big step. At first, I was a little iffy about it, but I told the coaches that I’ll play wherever they need me to play. So far, it’s been going pretty well.
What adjustments are most important for playing left tackle?
Definitely the footwork. Teams have their best defensive end on that side trying to get to the quarterback. Getting out of my stance, the hand punch, staying low and being able to drive defenders out (are important).
Which teammates do you text with the most?
A bunch of the (2023) freshmen have a group chat. I’d say that one or (fellow offensive lineman) Sebastian Pares. We’re pretty close.
Who’s the most active person in the group chat?
I don’t know, maybe Pan (offensive lineman Panayiotis Mihalopoulos) or Blainey (quarterback Blainey Dowling).
Growing up in Michigan, how big was hockey in your upbringing?
Oh, huge. I played hockey for 16 years. I loved it. I was thinking after high school that there’s always a pickup league I can play in. For football, there’s no pickup league.
What’s your coolest hockey memory?
Senior year, we went undefeated in our league. It was our sixth regional title in a row. We made it to the state semifinals. I was named the captain that year as well. I played forward from freshman year all the way up to senior year and they asked me to make the switch to defense. I loved it.
Are there any similarities between being a defenseman and an offensive lineman?
Yes, always protect the goalie.
What are some of the best hockey arenas you’ve ever played in?
I played at Notre Dame. That was pretty cool. I’ve played at the Yost (Ice Arena) at Michigan (in Ann Arbor). I also played at Joe Louis Arena (former home of the Detroit Red Wings) one time. That was sweet.
Do you prefer winter or summer in Michigan?
Probably summer, but in winter you can play pond hockey and go sledding and stuff because there’s a lot of snow.
Is there another Eastern team that you like to root for?
I like to support any EIU athletics team because they’re one of us and I’m one of them. (Last season’s OVC volleyball championship match) was pretty cool. There were a lot of people there.
Who is an unsung hero of the EIU football program?
Coach Bru (director of football operations David Brubaker), for sure. You can call him any time of the day. He’ll answer. He’ll get stuff done for you.
Barry Bottino is a co-founder of Prairie State Pigskin and a 19-year veteran of three Illinois newspapers. He has covered college athletics since 1995.
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