For most athletes the dream is to go pro, no matter the sport, and for Andrew Rupcich, a former offensive lineman at Culver-Stockton, that dream was officially made true this season by the Tennessee Titans when the 2nd year player was brought in to the coaches office to be told that he had officially made the the 53 Man roster. The reveal was even posted by the Tennessee Titans on their X/Twitter page.

Rupcich  started all 11 games at left tackle in 2018 at Culver-Stockton, when he won his first of what would become four first-team All-Heart of American Conference/North Division honors. Rupcich also went on to bring in first-team NAIA All-American honors in each of his following three seasons. After graduating from Culver-Stockton, Rupcich was invited to the 2022 NFL Combine where he was ranked as the twelfth overall tackle in the class. Later on he would be signed to the NFL by the Tennessee Titans as an Undrafted Free Agent (UDFA). Rupcich not only made the team but found his way onto the field for 208 snaps last season according to Pro Football Focus (PFF), allowing only 1 sack.

Many things stood out about Rupcich in his time at Culver, but one of the things that his former Head Coach at Culver-Stockton, Tom Sallay, pointed out was that “the person you are matters at [the pro level], you can’t get away with just being talented you have to be a good person too.” 

For any athlete who wants to make it to the pro-level of their respective sports, these qualities could be things to look upon as a guideline to stay on path for that goal. Coach Sallay also mentioned that with Rupcich here “it was fun because he was one of our best players & he was one of our hardest workers so nobody had a chance to take days off, because he didn’t.”At the pro-level coaches’ look for and value leadership, which is something about Rupcich that was clearly displayed throughout his time at Culver-Stockton and beyond.