Nate Pabst split time at tackle and guard at Bowling Green in 2025, participating in 767 snaps. Pabst says he has no preference about where he settles in at Florida State, but the answer could very well be both.
And Pabst plans to prepare as if he will be playing guard and tackle on game days.
“It’s a blessing in disguise really,” Pabst said. “You’re able to play different positions but that just means you have to prepare that much more because you know you can come into a game starting at tackle and end up playing guard for the majority of a game for injury reasons. I don’t really have a preference going in. But it’s nice to know where I’m going to be playing the majority of the game if everybody stays healthy and everything goes to plan.
“It is hard being a versatile player. But the most important thing is staying on top of my preparation.”
The 6-foot-5, 315-pound Pabst will be in the mix somewhere in FSU’s new-look line. Pabst was a second-team All-MAC selection, voted one of four captains on Bowling Green’s team and allowed just one sack on 354 pass plays.
Pabst spent 493 snaps at right tackle and 273 snaps at right guard, versatility that FSU’s coaching staff values. While he didn’t play for a Power 4 team, he did face Cincinnati and Louisville in 2025. Pabst earned a 76.6 pass-block grade from Pro Football Focus at Cincinnati but a 24.4 pass-block grade at Louisville, a sign of the challenges he’ll face in making the jump from the MAC to the ACC.
But Pabst also graded in the 70s or 80s in six of 12 games last fall. Whether he’s a tackle, guard or a bit of both, Pabst will be in the mix up front along with Purdue transfer Bradyn Joiner, Auburn transfer Xavier Chaplin, Troy transfer Paul Bowling, Stephen F. Austin transfer Chimdia Nwaiwu and returning Seminoles like Chavez Thompson and Andre’ Otto.
Among the reasons Pabst picked FSU is to learn from second-year line coach Herb Hand.
“It’s been awesome. Coach Hand has been everything that people say about it. He’s legendary. He’s a proven coach,” Pabst said. “Coming in every day with a mindset ready to learn, anything I can from him. ... He’s put guys in the NFL and that’s where I want to be. He’s really good at doing that.”
Pabst is not related to the family that launched the famous beer brand. But he arrives at FSU with ambitions, and it’s easy to see his drive. He earned a bachelor’s degree at Bowling Green as well as an MBA. He has an internal drive to work but also a curiosity to learn.
“I’m a naturally curious person,” Pabst said. “If I don’t see something that I don’t fully understand I like spending time trying to understand why it is the way it is and how it works. I’ll go on YouTube and watch random videos on how people start their business or do this in football. I’m just a naturally curious person. I’ve always had that drive to understand why things are the way they are.”
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