Cesar Ruiz is making sure to use the best training methods available as he looks ahead to the 2026 season. And, as the 2020 NFL first-round draft pick explained to M&F, he’s added artificial intelligence to his already impressive prep schedule.
The 6’4″ lineman’s desire to build the best version of himself grew due to injuries such as a broken foot in 2022, which led him to rely on walking, recovery, and recovery. Recently, he has been dealing with a problem with his knee, but as the new season approaches, the New Jersey man, “says sure, Ruvez is ready to play. in the long run, how important it is to listen to my body, stay consistent with my schedule, and do what I need to do to stay fit every day.”
Now living in Dallas, Ruiz has been using the offseason to train under former Saint and Miami Dolphins star Teron Armstead. “He was a role model for me, especially as a veteran,” explained Ruiz. “He did it at a high level and it’s very easy to listen to him, because everything he says comes from real experience. When someone like that speaks, you pay attention to him.”
While Ruiz appreciates the importance of human interaction in training, the 315-plus-pound athlete is also turning to technology, embracing AI as a way to better manage his meal plans. The big man explains that the introduction of AI was first made by his close friend Noah Perry. “I wanted to properly plan the food I eat, and food that works well for my body,” said 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 dedicated athletes because of the convenience, accessibility, and flexibility they provide. “I’ve always loved computers and understanding them, so AI was something I immediately fell in love with,” said Ruiz. “I ended up spending six or seven hours with Claude, and he coded the app for me. I’m still tweaking it now and adding more things to it, but it’s designed specifically for me. It organizes my meals, recipes, macros, portions, and what I need based on my calorie needs. I don’t really count all the calories, but it helps me make sure I’m following my protein.”
Having a professional nutritionist in the palm of your hand also allows for constant tracking and the ability to sync with other devices. “My app tracks my progress, my weight, my body composition, my training, and it’s connected to my Whoop, so it adds things like my sleep results. My app also tracks what I eat and drink, and it’s very easy to enter everything. It takes me maybe two minutes.”
Can AI Improve Athletic Performance?
Although research in this area is new, a large two-year study has shown that fitness apps have great potential. Data from more than half a million Canadian fitness app users showed that those who started by taking less than 5,000 steps a day finished the project with an additional 1,000 to 2,000 daily steps. Experts have found that there are a number of factors that determine program adherence, including the type of training that is done. But it is thought that AI encourages greater consumption through its connection and individual tailoring, leading to better enjoyment and retention.
“One of the cool features is that if I don’t know what to eat, I have a list of foods there, knowing that my body is reacting. I can hit ‘Generate,’ and my app will create a recipe for me. It can generate Michelin-star recipes, and I can filter or fine-tune it based on what I want. It tracks my drink, everything I sleep with, everything I eat, and my diet.”
How is Cesar Ruiz using AI in NFL operations?
“I use AI a lot with numbers, structure, and putting everything in one system so it’s easier for me to understand and follow along,” Ruiz explained. “Nutrition can be difficult when you’re eating a lot of food and trying to make sure you’re getting what your body needs every day. The app makes it easy for me, because everything is in one place. I can see what I’m eating, what I’m drinking, how much protein I’m taking in, how my body is reacting, and what I might need to fix.”
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 Teron Armstead and Trey Smith are supercharged for his preparation for the upcoming season. “Training with Teron was great,” Ruiz recalled. “And Trey is my best friend. We’ve been very close since we were 15 years old, so now he’s like a brother. We’ve been doing this together for so long that it feels good to be able to train together now at this level.”
Why Human Trainers Are Still Important in the Age of AI
At least for now, AI can’t replicate the commitments Ruiz made on the field. “The biggest takeaway is how easy it is to communicate when you have that kind of relationship with someone. It’s not forced. It’s 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,” Ruiz explained. “It’s different because it’s one person, but it also comes from a very strong relationship. Trey has played with me, he understands who I am as a player, and that makes it easier.”
And, as the 2026 season approaches, Cesar Ruiz is about to face another aspect of human life away from AI. “I’m always happy about the season,” insisted Ruiz. But this year will be special, because my son will always be watching over me. That will be a great feeling!
To follow Cesar Ruiz on Instagram, click here.
