https://lsu.rivals.com/news/thaddeus-moss-success-at-lsu-caught-the-attention-of-a-georgia-2022-te
For what might seem like forever to LSU fans, the tight end position on the football team was just a glorified sixth offensive lineman.
That all changed the last two seasons under the new and improved high-powered LSU offensive attack.
Thaddeus Moss caught 47 passes last season for 570 yards and four touchdowns to help the Tigers capture the 2019 National Championship.
Then, to cap off the 2020 recruiting class, Ed Orgeron and staff landed the services of five-star Arik Gilbert, a tight end out of Georgia, who was also named the Gatorade National Football Player of the Year.
Things seem to be turning the corner at the tight end position in Baton Rouge and the coaching staff looks to continue that with the recruitment of class of 2022 Jack Nickel out of the Peach State.
“I would say that I’m best described as a balanced tight end,” Nickel said. “Some tight ends can only block or catch the ball; I think I do both things really well. I really pride myself on that.”
The 6-4, 230-pound tight end out of Milton High School is nearing the 30-scholarship offer mark, which includes power-five offers from Boston College, Colorado, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Iowa, Kentucky, LSU, Louisville, Maryland, Miami, Michigan State, Nebraska, N.C. State, Northwestern, Notre Dame, Oregon, Penn State, Purdue, South Carolina, Vanderbilt, Virginia Tech and Wisconsin.
“Right now (in terms of his overall recruiting process), I’m pretty open,” he said. “Saying that, there are some schools that are starting to stick out. I think LSU, Notre Dame, Penn State, Wisconsin and Iowa stick out to me right now. I’m interested in those schools for sure.
“What (LSU) did last year, I mean that is one of the best teams of all time. And of course, look how they used their tight end. Add to that the fact that they have a pretty good business school as well.”
The recent success of the tight end position at LSU has put the Tigers in a very favorable position for possibly landing the 2022 prospect.
“Last season opened a lot of people’s eyes because LSU was never really known for throwing the ball to the tight end,” he said, adding, “but that is starting to change. The numbers don’t lie. Thaddeus Moss caught the ball 47 times.”
Originally offered the LSU scholarship by assistant director of player personnel David Bowen, Nickel said he is quickly starting to develop relationships with several members of the LSU coaching staff.
“Coach Bowen was the one who came with the initial offer,” he said. “They were impressed with what they saw on my film and he told my high school coach that the football part was a no-brainer. But they wanted to talk to my coach more about my character because that is an important thing at LSU.
“Coach Bowen and I talked and I got the offer. Then on (Jul. 20) I got the chance to talk with (graduate assistant) Derek Shay and coach Ed Orgeron himself. That was really cool.
"Coach O was just talking about how much they want to get me on campus for a visit. He has actually been to my school before and we talked a little about that too. He wants me to be a Tiger. I want a head coach that I can trust, like a father figure. Coach O is one of the most liked coaches in college football, if not the most well liked. Talking to him has been pretty cool. Whenever we are allowed again (because of the COVID-19) pandemic, I’m definitely going to make it over to Baton Rouge for a visit.”
For what might seem like forever to LSU fans, the tight end position on the football team was just a glorified sixth offensive lineman.
That all changed the last two seasons under the new and improved high-powered LSU offensive attack.
Thaddeus Moss caught 47 passes last season for 570 yards and four touchdowns to help the Tigers capture the 2019 National Championship.
Then, to cap off the 2020 recruiting class, Ed Orgeron and staff landed the services of five-star Arik Gilbert, a tight end out of Georgia, who was also named the Gatorade National Football Player of the Year.
Things seem to be turning the corner at the tight end position in Baton Rouge and the coaching staff looks to continue that with the recruitment of class of 2022 Jack Nickel out of the Peach State.
“I would say that I’m best described as a balanced tight end,” Nickel said. “Some tight ends can only block or catch the ball; I think I do both things really well. I really pride myself on that.”
The 6-4, 230-pound tight end out of Milton High School is nearing the 30-scholarship offer mark, which includes power-five offers from Boston College, Colorado, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Iowa, Kentucky, LSU, Louisville, Maryland, Miami, Michigan State, Nebraska, N.C. State, Northwestern, Notre Dame, Oregon, Penn State, Purdue, South Carolina, Vanderbilt, Virginia Tech and Wisconsin.
“Right now (in terms of his overall recruiting process), I’m pretty open,” he said. “Saying that, there are some schools that are starting to stick out. I think LSU, Notre Dame, Penn State, Wisconsin and Iowa stick out to me right now. I’m interested in those schools for sure.
“What (LSU) did last year, I mean that is one of the best teams of all time. And of course, look how they used their tight end. Add to that the fact that they have a pretty good business school as well.”
The recent success of the tight end position at LSU has put the Tigers in a very favorable position for possibly landing the 2022 prospect.
“Last season opened a lot of people’s eyes because LSU was never really known for throwing the ball to the tight end,” he said, adding, “but that is starting to change. The numbers don’t lie. Thaddeus Moss caught the ball 47 times.”
Originally offered the LSU scholarship by assistant director of player personnel David Bowen, Nickel said he is quickly starting to develop relationships with several members of the LSU coaching staff.
“Coach Bowen was the one who came with the initial offer,” he said. “They were impressed with what they saw on my film and he told my high school coach that the football part was a no-brainer. But they wanted to talk to my coach more about my character because that is an important thing at LSU.
“Coach Bowen and I talked and I got the offer. Then on (Jul. 20) I got the chance to talk with (graduate assistant) Derek Shay and coach Ed Orgeron himself. That was really cool.
"Coach O was just talking about how much they want to get me on campus for a visit. He has actually been to my school before and we talked a little about that too. He wants me to be a Tiger. I want a head coach that I can trust, like a father figure. Coach O is one of the most liked coaches in college football, if not the most well liked. Talking to him has been pretty cool. Whenever we are allowed again (because of the COVID-19) pandemic, I’m definitely going to make it over to Baton Rouge for a visit.”
