Interview: 29-Offer 4-Star 2022 Georgia OT Addison Nichols is a Mauler with Technique
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Physical giftings on the gridiron are limited to what one does with those blessings. For Class of 2022 offensive lineman Addison Nichols, he has not taken his talents for granted with a dedicated work ethic that is hard to match. The 6-5, 305-pound, offensive lineman was an anchor at right tackle for Greater Atlanta Christian last season helping his squad to a 12-2 record against 3A Georgia foes. His ability to dominate the line of scrimmage with his size, overwhelming strength and footwork, coupled with technique placed him on MaxPreps’ Sophomore All-American Team. The work has thrown four-stars his way along with 29 scholarship offers.
In an RNG first-look, I sat down with the domineering lineman to gain insight on the pancake monster appearing atop recruiting boards across the country.
Interview
Addison, you are a high school defenders’ worst nightmare. You are big, strong, fast, and you punish the jokers that get in your way. Because you play to the whistle and plant defenders in the ground, do you get a lot of smack talk or do they keep their mouth shut not wanting to make you mad?
(Laughs) “It really depends on the team. Some come into the game knowing we are going to destroy them; those are some of the best games. They are respectful, I do the worst in those games. Because they are so nice, I don’t want to be so mean. I will pancake a guy and he says “great job, I loved it.” Then I don’t want to do it again. In the tight ones, they start talking a lot.”
Did you track pancakes and knockdowns last season?
“No, we did not. I wish we did.”
If you had to guess, about how many per game were you getting – eight or nine?
“Usually I get two or three per drive.”
Wow. I believe it. When did you start playing varsity football and when did you earn your first varsity start?
“It was freshman year, our first regular season game against Westminster.”
What offensive set were you guys executing last season?
“It was more of a Spread.”
At right tackle you were doing a little bit of everything including getting downfield taking out linebackers and defensive backs. How did your overall game improve as a blocker during your sophomore season?
“It definitely improved; it improved a lot. When hitting a defensive lineman, it is straightforward. Having to pull going to get a linebacker or cornerback, I had to work on my hand-placement and feet. There is no way I am blocking 5-7, 150-pound, guy going full speed. If he cuts, I will fall on my face. That taught me to stay more square and use my technique.”
Your footwork and speed are impressive, and so is that nasty streak to end plays. We talked about how your game improved, what do you feel were the strengths to your talents at the end of last season?
“Probably my pass setting and finishing. I have always been good at pass setting. I cannot remember a time Jackson Hardy got sacked because of me. They tell me my finish is good, I still want to work on it, but because they tell me I do that well I will include that as a strength too.”
The defensive coordinator was able to get you over on the other side of the ball for a few plays in 2019. How did that go for you?
“It went alright. It was good for my feet, staying lower to the ground, shoot my hands, cutting, and my speed. Wish I could have done more but I understand why I couldn’t.”
When the Spartans kick off the 2020 season, which positions are you taking on during your junior run?
“Probably left tackle and probably a little more defense at end and tackle.”
For all that you will be doing, what have you been working on this spring?
“My endurance – there are three things: my endurance, foot quickness, and off the ball speed. I got this program I use, a jump rope program. Starts off with a 30 seconds basic jump, then rest, and then it changes up and becomes more difficult. Jumping rope helps with my explosion. I have been working coming out of a three- and two-point stance with my dad holding a pad or hitting the pad tied to a tree. A lot of long jump rope sessions; it is a lot harder than it sounds.”
Are you dunking after all the jump roping?
“I was able to do that about a year-and-a-half ago when I was at 240 once or twice. With the weight on, I have not able to do it again. My family is not full of high jumpers.”
Going into the weight room, what are your most recent maxes?
“Bench is 315, squat is 485, and my clean is 315.”
Really impressive. With recruiting, which schools are showing interest?
“None actually. Clemson was the only one. The teams usually offer before showing interest. That was the weird thing, they’d offer then start talking to me.”
How high has that offer total reached?
“I have 29 offers.”
Impressive again. Which programs were the last three or so to offer?
“Clemson, Kentucky, and Texas A&M.”
Nichols’ Offer Sheet: Alabama, Arizona State, Auburn, Clemson, Duke, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Iowa State, Kentucky, Louisville, Maryland, Miami, Michigan, Michigan State, North Carolina, NC State, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Penn State, Purdue, Stanford, Tennessee, Texas A&M, USC, Vanderbilt, and Virginia
Going back to last season, did you take any unofficial visits?
“Yes, I went to Georgia Tech, Auburn, and Tennessee.”
The visit to the home state school, how did the Georgia Tech trip turn out?
“It was really good. We got to talk to the coaches. They split us up in three groups and put us on a scavenger hunt. We were given a list of destinations to visit on campus and we had to take a group pic at each spot. The first group back won. It was really fun. We went in the locker room, that was fantastic, and we talked to coaches in meeting room. I was really impressed; I am really impressed with what they are doing with the program and their plans for the future. Going in, I did not know what to expect with that visit.”
And the visit to Auburn, how did that go?
“That one was also really good. I had not researched Auburn much before that visit; I did not know what to expect. After the visit, I was extremely impressed. I went to their opening basketball game against Kentucky. All the media was there, the environment was impressive. I had a great talk with the coaches; that was a good one.”
Can’t leave out Tennessee. Tell me about that one.
“It was good. My grandparents live five minutes away. It was fun to bring them on the visit to experience everything. We walked around the campus and had a detailed visit. Most visits for a football game you watch the game and go home and maybe talk to the coaches a little bit. This was different. They took me to the business school, I want to major in that in college, that was a good.”
Once the campuses open back up, are there any planned trips ahead?
“Yes. I am trying to get back to Tennessee, take another one at Georgia, one at Duke, and I will probably take one to Clemson. I have not fully planned my visits out yet, I am not 100 percent sure because of all that is going on, but those are the main four visits for right now.”
From every approach to the game, we’ve all been away from it full-tilt for a few months now. What has this time away from the game taught or shown you how you feel about playing football?
“Good question. Probably how much it really impacts my life. When I was practicing every day before the break, yeah, I love it. But not having it has shown how much it really does mean to me.”
Addison, it was great spending time with you today covering so much ground. Wishing you continued success with your recruiting process and offseason workouts.
“Thank you, sir.”
Photo credit: Nichols family; Addison Nichols at Alabama and Georgia