Interview: College Scouts Catching onto 2021 California FS/ATH Ethan Nicholas
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
When Scripps Ranch needed a big first down or for the defense to come up with a key stop, Ethan Nicholas was there to make a play throughout the 2019 season. Earning All-City League honors playing free safety, Nicholas put an end to 43 plays, 23 solo, with three picks. On offense, the 6-0, 185-pound, talent secured five passes for 59 yards with a score, rushed 38 times for 266 yards with four trips into the end zone, and even completed 2 of 2 passes. The skills for the true student-athlete (4.25 cumulative GPA) are starting to be noticed by college scouts. The Class of 2021 recruit has earned an offer from Lake Erie and has interest coming in from Ivy League, Pac-12, and Mountain West programs.
In an RNG first-look, Nicholas covers ground on his junior run with an update on his spring workouts and growing recruiting options.
Interview
Ethan, the 2019 season was a big one for you as an impact player on both sides of the ball. Looking back, how do you feel the season went overall for you personally?
“For me personally, I thought I did pretty well. I thought I was a pretty good contributor on both sides of the ball. Last season I grew defensively, having only played safety for a couple of years, with the help of my coaches and going to camps. I am always striving for more and never satisfied.”
Watching game film on you, you were lining up everywhere. Which positions did you play during your junior season?
“Free safety, running back, and slot receiver.”
As a free safety in the Falcons defense, what were some of the coverages you guys were running and what were your responsibilities?
“We switched it up from a Cover 4 to a Cover 3. As a free safety, I would go down to a linebacker position, depending on the team we were playing, and the other safety would bump up, or the other way around. As safeties we would switch into the Cover 2 man, and we’d play deep.”
How did your game improve as a defender last season?
“Coverage wise, during my sophomore year I struggled; I played quarterback my freshman year. Last season was a big jump for me, my pursuit to the ball improved, getting to the running back at the line, my man coverage, and overall play on the ball in the air – all of it improved last season.”
On offense, you were that all-purpose guy capable of running the rock and moving the chains in the passing game. How did you skills improve on offense a year ago?
“My route running improved and my catching – I did not have one drop last year, which was a big accomplishment.”
Are you taking on all the same roles this season?
“Yes. All the same roles, free safety definitely, running back and slot receiver. I am not sure what else the coaches have for me; quarterback is an option too.”
Since the season ended, what have you been working on with your game on offense?
“My footwork and explosiveness. I have been working on exploding through the hole, one-cut and go, and gaining weight to run over people too.”
And on defense what have you been working on this spring?
“Covering, one can never get too good at coverage, my footwork, opening up my hips, and explosiveness out of breaks.”
Have you had a chance to run a 40 this offseason?
“No, not an official 40, but I am around a 4.6.”
What have you been doing from a strength and conditioning standpoint this spring to get ready for the 2020 season?
“We have a home gym; I have been working out a lot. Pretty much every day I am working out doing arm and legs, bench and squat. Some buddies and I will find a field to run routes and do drills too.”
Let’s get into recruiting. Which schools are showing interest?
“USD (San Diego), Cal-Poly, SDSU (San Diego State), Stanford – I have had a few conversations with them, Nevada, Butler, UPenn (Pennsylvania), and Johns Hopkins.”
Which program has offered?
“Lake Erie.”
Once the campuses open up, are there any planned trips on your calendar?
“Cal-Poly is one that I will make. I am hoping to make it Stanford for a practice or a game and I may try to go out to the east coast. If I have a few Ivy League schools showing interest, I may visit UPenn, Princeton, Yale and Harvard, but it all depends on the interest I receive.”
Ethan, thanks for your time today. Wishing you continued success with your workouts this summer.
“Thank you.”
Photo credit: Scripps Ranch/Nicholas family; Ethan Nicholas