- December 19th, 2006, 10:55 am
#48864
Shay Nicholson
Running Back
Staunton (VA) Robert E. Lee HS
5' 11" 218 lbs 4.59 in 40
Scout Profile
Durham Scout.com Combine Results:
Height: ....................... 5-11
Weight: ...................... 208
40-Yard Dash: ............ 4.59
Short Shuttle: ............. 5.00
Vertical Jump: ............. 34.0"
3-Cone: ...................... 8.59
Broad Jump: ............... 9-0
Shay Nicholson
Running Back
Staunton (VA) Robert E. Lee HS
5' 11" 218 lbs 4.59 in 40
Scout Profile
Durham Scout.com Combine Results:
Height: ....................... 5-11
Weight: ...................... 208
40-Yard Dash: ............ 4.59
Short Shuttle: ............. 5.00
Vertical Jump: ............. 34.0"
3-Cone: ...................... 8.59
Broad Jump: ............... 9-0
Lightning strikeshttp://www.newsleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll ... 2001/1006/
By Chris Lassiter
Call him the David Copperfield of the Valley District.
Robert E. Lee running back Shay Nicholson has a knack for disappearing whenever an onslaught of would-be tacklers appears. Then, the 6-foot, 210-pound senior magically reappears in the end zone.
But this isn’t smoke and mirrors.
Nicholson is too explosive to be contained, too strong to be tackled, too fast to be caught and too determined to be stopped.
“Shay makes unbelievable plays,” said friend and teammate Andre Jackson, who likens Nicholson’s running style to a mixture of Emmitt Smith and LaDainian Tomlinson. “You can’t believe the way he breaks off tackles.
It was amazing when I first saw him play. He goes to the hole, and it’s like, ‘Oh, he got stopped.’ Then you see No. 22 pop out with someone hanging on his jersey. It’s pretty amazing.”
As a youngster, Nicholson had to convince his parents that he could play football despite his asthma. Now, opposing defenses are often left breathless.
In two games, Nicholson has carried the ball 34 times for 346 yards and five touchdowns. He started his senior year with a 45-yard carry and amassed more than 100 yards and a pair of touchdowns during the first quarter of Lee’s opener.
And No. 22 is not through yet. Nicholson wants to be mentioned alongside the best running backs in school history.
“I want to do things other running backs haven’t done,” said Nicholson, a target now that he no longer shares carries with former backfield mate Hosea Berkley. “Last year, people might have been surprised that I was able to do what I did. This year, they are expecting me to do that.”
Thus far, it hasn’t mattered.
Nicholson’s success has come at a price. He spent the summer running hills by himself and lifting weights with the linemen to be in peak football condition.
“What separates Shay is just his will to train and work hard in the offseason,” Jackson said. “It makes him one of the most fierce high school running backs in the district.”
Athletically, Nicholson comes from good stock. His father was a multisport standout at Buffalo Gap, and his mom was a good volleyball player at Lee.
Nicholson was 5 years old when he decided he wanted to be like Dallas Cowboys great Emmitt Smith.
To fulfill that dream, Nicholson once stripped down to his Scooby-Doo boxers at the youth league football weigh-in to make weight for the running back position.
“I just wanted to be able to carry the ball,” said the running back, who may never live that story down among his friends. “You look back on stuff and it’s funny, but I had to do it so I could play.”
As Nicholson continues to run, he’s being chased by more than linebackers. His play on the football field has caught the eyes of numerous college football recruiters.
The recruiting process can become a little burdensome for Nicholson — a solid student at Lee — but he enjoys it for the most part.
“The fun part is getting to go to colleges and talking to the players,” Nicholson said. “Everybody treats you well. A scholarship means a free education. And you need an education. Your GPA is where it’s at. You can accept a scholarship with no problems.”
Q&A with Shay Nicholson
How many hours do you spend on MySpace?
It’s gotta be about five to 10 hours.
Who is your favorite teacher?
My favorite teacher would have be Mr. (Andrew) Green. That’s the first math class I passed with an A, and he’s just a funny dude.
What is the best sports movie?
For me, it would have to be “Friday Night Lights.”
What is your ultimate sports dream?
Making it to the NFL, and being mentioned with all the great names.
What is your favorite way to spend your free time?
I like just chilling with my friends and being with the people you love.
What’s the best part about being a senior?
You know you’re almost done!
What’s your most embarrassing moment athletically?
It would have to be when I got my under armor ripped in the playoffs, and I fumbled the ball.
What song would get you most hyped before the game?
I think I’d have to pick “Roll Call” by Lil’ Jon and Ice Cube
What is the best touchdown celebration you’ve ever seen?
All of the ones Chad Johnson did!
What is the perfect pregame meal?
One of those chicken sandwiches from Burger King!
Who has had the biggest influence on you?
I’d have to say my grandfather (the deceased the Rev. Eicky Woodson). When he was alive, you could go to him and ask him about anything. There’s not a person around here that could say anything bad about him.
Last edited by Sly Fox on February 7th, 2007, 3:22 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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