Cesar Ruiz is making sure to tap into the very best training methods available while eying up the 2026 season. And, as the 2020 first-round NFL draft pick explains to M&F, he’s added Artificial Intelligence to his already impressive program of prep.
The 6’4” offensive lineman’s desire to build the best version of himself was ramped up as a result of injuries such as a fractured foot in 2022, leading him to lean into mobility, flexibility, and recovery. More recently, he’s been working through an issue with his knee, but as the new season approaches, the man from New Jersey is ready to play. “Right now, I feel good,” says Ruiz. “I’ve definitely learned, over time, how important it is to listen to my body, stay consistent with my routine, and do what I need to do to be ready every day.”
Now residing in Dallas, Ruiz has been using the offseason to train under former Saint and Miami Dolphins star, Terron Armstead. “He has been a role model for me, especially as a veteran,” explains Ruiz. “He has done it at a high-level and he is very easy to listen to, because everything he says comes from real experience. When someone like that speaks, you pay attention.”
While Ruiz appreciates the importance of human interaction in training, the 315-plus-pound athlete is also turning to technology, embracing AI as a means of mastering his meal plans. The big man explains that the introduction to AI was first made by his close friend Noah Perry. “I wanted to get more organized with the food that I eat, and the meals that actually work well for my body,” shares Ruiz. “Noah told me about Claude, so I started messing around with that.”
NFL Star Cesar Ruiz Built an AI Nutrition App—and Says It Changed Everything
AI assistants like ChatGPT and Claude are becoming an important resource for committed athletes due to the convenience, accessibility, and flexibility that they offer. “I have always loved computers and understood them, so AI was something that I was interested in right away,” says Ruiz. “I ended up spending six or seven hours with Claude, and it basically coded an app for me. I am still tuning it now and adding extra stuff to it, but it is built specifically for me. It organizes my meals, recipes, macros, portions, and what I need based on my calorie needs. I do not really count every single calorie, but it helps me make sure I am hitting my protein and staying on track.”
Having an artificial nutritionist in the palm of your hand also allows for constant tracking and even the ability to sync with other devices. “My app keeps track of my progress, my weight, my body composition, my training, and it is connected to my Whoop, so it adds things like my sleep score too. My app also keeps track of what I eat and drink, and it is very easy to input everything. It takes me maybe two minutes.”
Can AI Improve Athletic Performance?
While research in this area is relatively new, a large two-year study showed that fitness apps have serious potential. Data from more than half-a-million Canadian fitness app users showed that those who began by taking less than 5,000 steps per day ended the project with an additional 1,000 to 2,000 daily steps. Experts have found that there are a range of factors that determine fitness app adherence, including the type of training discipline being undertaken. But it is thought that AI encourages greater use through its connectivity and individual tailoring, leading to better enjoyment and adherence.
“One of the coolest features is that if I do not know what to eat, I have a list of foods in there, that I know my body responds well to. I can hit ‘Generate,’ and my app will create a recipe for me. It can even generate Michelin-star type recipes, and I can filter it or fine-tune it based on what I want. It tracks my sleep, my food, my drinks, and everything in one place.”
How Is Cesar Ruiz Using AI for NFL Performance?
“I use AI more for the numbers, the structure, and putting everything into one system so that it is easy for me to understand and keep up with,” explains Ruiz. “Nutrition can get complicated when you are eating a lot of food and trying to make sure you are getting what your body needs every day. The app makes it simple for me, because everything is in one place. I can see what I ate, what I drank, how much protein I got in, how my body is responding, and what I might need to adjust.”
Ruiz views AI as an extension of his training, rather than a replacement for human coaches, and feels that unique interactions with trusted figures like Terron Armstead and Trey Smith is supercharging his prep for the coming season. “Training with Terron has been great,” reflects Ruiz. “And Trey is my best friend. We have been extremely close since we were 15 years old, so at this point he is really like my brother. We have been doing this for so long together that it feels good to be able to train together now at this level.”
Why Human Coaches Still Matter in the Age of AI
At least for now, AI cannot replicate the bonds that Ruiz has made on the field. “The biggest takeaway is how easy the communication is when you have that kind of relationship with somebody. It is not forced. It is a conversation. Trey and I know each other, we understand each other, and we can pick each other’s brains in a way that feels natural,” explains Ruiz. “It is unique because it is one-on-one, but it also comes from a super strong relationship. Trey has played with me, he understands who I am as a player, and that makes it easy.”
And, as the 2026 season approaches, Cesar Ruiz is about to experience another aspect of human life that is far removed from AI. “I am always excited for the season,” beams Ruiz. “But this year will be special, because I’ll have my son in the stands watching me. That is going to be a great feeling!”
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