Thomas Fidone recovered and ready to “shoot for the stars” in 2023
Thomas Fidone is competing in his first fall camp at Nebraska. Three years and two (effectively) season-ending knee injuries after his Husker career began, the tight end is back on the gridiron full-go.
The return journey was no easy affair.
“When you get hurt, you don’t look at the big picture,” Fidone said. “You can only see what’s right then and there. The injury process is a process in itself. My rehab is probably the worst workouts I’ve ever done in my life. The rehab was pretty crazy.”
Some of that crazy stuff entailed using blood flow restriction cuffs on the legs.
“Basically, it makes five pounds feel like 100 pounds,” Fidone said. “Everything you do is 75 reps no matter what. I remember I came into the weight room one day and I had 275 (pounds) on the deadlift bar. I had 75 reps at 275 with BFR (blood flow restriction) on and I’ll never forget that.”
There was plenty of mental work within recovery, too. Fidone said he would watch film alone or help out in practices on scout team. He said those things helped him mature and learn how to study the playbook.
Fidone maintains a driven personality with lofty goals
Fidone had to remaster some things once he got back on the field. Most of it came down to football sense according to the Lewis Central (Council Bluffs) product. Initially it doesn’t seem like Fidone feels a significant physical drop-off. Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule echoed those sentiments and said the staff tested Fidone’s speed this summer and the sophomore had retained his freak athleticism.
In the midst of Fidone’s measurables, frame or natural ability, some things can get lost in the shuffle. Tight ends coach Josh Martin doesn’t want some things to fly under the radar.
“What I don’t know what people truly know about him is how much he loves football,” Martin said of Fidone. “He’s really, really hard on himself, but he’s a constant seeker of knowledge. He’s a perfectionist and sometimes hey, look, you made a bad play. You’ve got to move on.”
Fidone is leaning into a new mentality according to Rhule.
“He’s probably as hard on himself as he is on myself, so we have a lot in common in that regard” Rhule said. “What I’m seeing from him is if he has a bad play or makes a mistake, while he’s still angry with himself, he’s started to quickly say, ‘What’s next?’ and get over it.”
High standards tend to reveal themselves within lofty goals. That’s certainly true of Fidone. Winning the Mackey Award, an honor given to the nation’s top tight end, is important. A Big Ten Championship and a National Championship rank highly as well. Atop Fidone’s list sits an NFL career.
There’s no lack of drive. Of course, using his 6-foot-6, 250-pound frame to find success in the red zone will be a critical piece for reaching his objectives. Rhule said Fidone is excelling in that area during fall camp and has made plays in the red zone or in late-game situations to win scrimmages and team periods.
“I feel like I can play any role that they want to throw at me,” Fidone said. “I’m a big body and I can go make plays. I’m also quick so I can make use of the red zone and get open. Wherever they put me I’m going to find a way to be successful for them.”
Fall camp is a time to install new concepts and grow as a player. Participating in that is a blessing according to Fidone. The No. 1 tight end in the class of 2021 is ready to test his standard and step into the limelight of a Nebraska offense seeking big-time playmakers.
“I expect myself to be the best,” Fidone said. “If I said I wasn’t, I’d be lying to myself. I expect myself to be the best tight end and I’m going to hold myself to that standard. You know what? Whatever happens, happens but I’m going to shoot for the stars.”
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