Parkwood High’s Nick Saldiveri makes history, heads to New Orleans in NFL Draft
Nick Saldiveri became the first Parkwood High alum to become an NFL Draft pick.
Saldiveri, a 6-foot-6, 318-pound lineman was selected by the New Orleans Saints on Saturday, shortly after noon. He was the first player called in the fourth round and was the 103rd pick overall. Saldiveri was ranked No. 80 overall by CBS Sports among all potential draft picks.
Saldiveri took an unusual road to the NFL. He played on a Parkwood High football team that was 13-22 during his three seasons. In college at Old Dominion, Saldiveri was on a team that won 14 games in four seasons. Saldiveri also had to sit out the entire 2020 season while the program shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic.
But Saldiveri grew as a player at Old Dominion. He was named a captain in the 2021 season. In 2022, his redshirt junior season, he didn’t allow a sack.
“I think he’s got a great mentality for an offensive lineman,” ODU coach Ricky Rahne told The Observer earlier this month. “I think he knows that it’s constant improvement. You’re never going to be the perfect player, but you’re always going to be striving to be that.
“I think, ultimately, it’s going to lead him to being successful for a very long time.”
This story was originally published April 29, 2023 at 12:23 PM.
