Nichols has a large frame with opportunity for growth. He’s already listed at 252 pounds, and there’s some speculation that he’s 6’6″, though most sites put him at 6’5″. He demonstrates physicality when making tackles and taking on blocks, and he has enough speed to close out on ball carriers. His wingspan allows him to grab some ball carriers who might otherwise get away.
On the downside, Nichols plays too high and, as a result, lacks the ability to transform what he sees into a sense of urgency to shift direction. He takes too many chest blocks and does not use his length well to shock, lock out, and shed blockers. Despite playing against a lot of smaller, less gifted players, he struggles to get out of tackles. His first stride is a little slow, and he frequently needs to use counter manoeuvres to push the pocket or establish a pass rush. He rarely wins with speed, despite being a 4-star edge talent.
Overall, Nichols is a good strongside defensive end prospect with limited upside. He’ll need to work on his technique and play lower, but I believe his upside is restricted due to his lack of speed. He could end up being a Mike Morris-level standup defensive end, but like Morris, who led the club with 7.5 sacks this season, his ability to rush the passer may be more about being able to bully tackles into the backfield than any sort of athletic mismatch.
I believe Michigan’s defence will be more effective overall if they have a quick-twitch player at that position. Perhaps expecting an Aidan Hutchinson every year is unrealistic, but somewhere between Hutchinson and Morris is reasonable to expect on a frequent basis.
