A.J. Nicholson strives to become an outstanding linebacker like his father.
By BRIAN LANDMAN
Published August 16, 2004
TALLAHASSEE - For all he knows, Florida State linebacker A.J. Nicholson might have been just out of the womb when he first heard the family rallying cry:
The Nicholson tradition must go on.
His father, Darrell, a standout linebacker at North Carolina who played alongside Lawrence Taylor, shouted that more than 20 years ago to push himself to greater heights.
"When I was at Carolina running around knocking people down and making all that noise, I went into the locker room one day and just yelled that out," he said. "I didn't have any idea I'd have three boys and a girl, but as they were growing up, I would tell them that. It's our motto."
The Nicholson tradition must go on.
He not only wanted to inspire his kids, but make them aware of the responsibility they carried; that what they did on the playing field - and more broadly and importantly, in life - would reflect on themselves and those family members who came before as well as those who would follow.
"He always instilled that in us," A.J. said Sunday afternoon. (His older brother, Darrell Jr., was a linebacker at Wingate University, and his younger brother, Derek, is a prep star at linebacker who is considering FSU.) "I take it real serious."
The past, present and future seem to be in sure, strong hands. Despite just three starts in his career, all last season, the 6-2, 235-pound junior is slated to anchor and lead an inexperienced, but talented, corps of linebackers.
"A.J. has all the tools and he understands the game very well," said linebackers coach Kevin Steele, who, with the other coaches, named Nicholson the most dominant defensive player during spring practices. "If A.J. keeps on track and stays healthy, there's no reason he can't be one of the best, if not the best, linebacker in the country."
But that's the kind of hype his name carried when he arrived in Tallahassee three years ago out of Mt. Tabor (N.C.) High. Just about every major college wanted him, including UNC, Florida and Texas.
"I came preparing to play, coming in and starting right away," said Nicholson, 21. "Things didn't work out like that."
The name game meant little at FSU.
Kendyll Pope was entering his second year as a starter. It was his time. Nicholson appeared in all 13 games, one of eight true freshmen to play, but mainly on special teams. It was his time to wait. Not exactly in line with the Nicholson tradition. His father was the ACC Rookie of the Year in 1978. He couldn't help but think he would be in a different position had he gone to UNC, a school he orally committed to before taking all of his official visits.
"When you're a freshman coming in and you were the star in high school and you're not playing right away, all the freshmen have that withdrawal, all the freshmen (think), "I shouldn't have gone here. I could have gone here,' " he said.
His father and mother, Natalie, helped him cope.
"We encouraged him," the elder Nicholson said. "We encourage all of our kids. If they can't get it at home, where are they going to get it from? We've always said, "Don't wait for the coach to pat you on the back. You don't need anybody to acknowledge the good job you know you're doing. Hey, just keep on fighting. Keep your attitude right because once your attitude is messed up, you're a done deal.' "
"My mom's my strength; my dad's my backbone," A.J. said.
The Nicholsons also found another source of comfort to relay to their son - a letter from FSU coach Bobby Bowden. Each year before the new players report to Tallahassee, Bowden writes to their parents, warning them their sons won't be the big men on campus as they were in high school; that process begins anew. He preached, even pleaded, that they and their kids try to be patient.
"Me and my wife drove down there with Coach Bowden's letter and we read it to him line by line," Darrell Nicholson said.
His son stayed put, continued to work and learn the system and earned more playing time as a sophomore, especially with Pope (a fourth-round draft pick in April of Tony Dungy's Indianapolis Colts) nursing injuries. He finished tied for seventh with Darnell Dockett in tackles (55) and seemed omnipresent, coming up with three fumble recoveries and forcing a fumble.
"Just wait," his father said. "We've seen A.J. and saw he's been blessed with something special on the football field. When A.J. gets into his rhythm, it's going to be the prettiest thing you've ever seen. It's going to be like artwork."
"People should know," said the son, sounding proud but ever respectful, "that the Nicholson tradition must go on. It must and it ain't going to stop."
