Tag: Jerome Nichols

2023 Season Countdown: #97 Jerome Nichols

Name: Jerome Nichols
Height: 6’0″
Weight: 216 lbs.
High school: Detroit (MI) Renaissance
Position: Linebacker
Class: Redshirt junior
Jersey number: #50
Last year: I ranked Nichols #100 and said he would be a backup linebacker (LINK). He played in two games.
TTB Rating: N/A

Michigan has a lot of backups but not a lot of proven players at inside linebacker. Last year there was an opportunity for a backup linebacker to work his way into the rotation, but that turned out to be true freshman Jimmy Rolder. Nichols did start to work his way onto the field on special teams in a couple of blowout games against Hawaii and UConn, but after mid-September, he was back to watching from the sideline on Saturdays.

I expect more of the same in 2023. While Nikhai Hill-Green’s departure for Charlotte opens up some room on the depth chart, Hill-Green didn’t play at all last year due to injury. Meanwhile, Junior Colson and Michael Barrett both return, not to mention Rolder and Nebraska transfer Ernest Hausmann. I don’t see a path to defensive snaps for Nichols, but he could once again earn some special teams opportunities.

Prediction: Backup linebacker and special teamer

2022 Season Countdown: #100 Jerome Nichols

Name: Jerome Nichols
Height: 6’0″
Weight: 224 lbs.
High school: Detroit (MI) Renaissance
Position: Linebacker
Class: Redshirt sophomore
Jersey number: #50
Last year: I ranked Nichols #98 and said he would be a backup linebacker (LINK). He did not play in any games.
TTB Rating: N/A

Nichols is a walk-on linebacker at a position that is lacking proven depth. While Junior Colson is virtually guaranteed to be a starter this season, the backup inside linebackers will probably be some combination of Nikhai Hill-Green, Mike Barrett, and Kalel Mullings. There appears to be a chance that Mullings will spend some time playing running back this fall, and the coaching staff does not seem to think Barrett is a good fit on the inside unless it comes to an emergency.

So inside linebacker is a thin position, and the backup ranks will have to come from unproven scholarship players like Jimmy Rolder, Jaydon Hood, Tyler McLaurin, and Joey Velazquez; or from walk-ons. I doubt Nichols will burst onto the scene but he could start to work his way onto the field as a special teams player.

Prediction: Backup linebacker and special teamer

2021 Season Countdown: #98 Jerome Nichols

Name: Jerome Nichols
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 218 lbs.
High school: Detroit (MI) Renaissance
Position: Linebacker
Class: Redshirt freshman
Jersey number: #50
Last year: I ranked Nichols #108 and said he would redshirt (LINK). He redshirted.
TTB Rating: N/A

Nichols was a standout thumper at inside linebacker in high school. Unfortunately, thumpers in high school often don’t translate well to the college game, where players have to be able to run well, too. I do think Nichols has a little better chance of playing in Mike Macdonald’s system (more of a 3-4) than Don Brown’s (more of a 4-2), but the opportunities may still be limited due to the caliber and experience of some players ahead of him.

Prediction: Backup linebacker

2020 Season Countdown: #108 Jerome Nichols

Name: Jerome Nichols
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 215 lbs.
High school: Detroit (MI) Renaissance
Position: Linebacker
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: N/A
Last year: Nichols was a senior in high school.

Nichols committed to Michigan as a preferred walk-on. He’s a two-year captain at Renaissance, and his Hudl video shows he claims a 3.5 GPA and a 1200 on the SAT. Nichols had some FCS offers but chose to go the Michigan route.

I don’t think Nichols is going to get on the field as a freshman, which is why he’s all the way down here at #108. But he’s a physical linebacker type that I think should be on the radar for future years. I do not believe he has the speed to become an awe-inspiring walk-on-to-NFL story like Jordan Glasgow, but this is a guy I could see playing special teams in the next few years.

Prediction: Redshirt

Hit the jump for his highlights.