Meet the Michigan Edge Rusher Ready to Make His Mark

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — He’s tall, loud, confident, and just a sophomore.

Edge rusher Dominic Nichols might not be a starter for Michigan football this fall, but he’s primed to play a significant role. The Wolverines’ system ensures it.

Nichols showcased his relentless drive and skill in Michigan’s ReliaQuest Bowl victory over Alabama on January 1, recording two tackles and forcing a fumble — a reminder of his tenacity.

With starter Josiah Stewart moving on, a spot on the depth chart has opened up.

“We went from whooping Ohio State’s (expletive) to whooping Alabama, too,” Nichols, a redshirt freshman, said. “You just roll into spring ball with that confidence. It’s easy to make plays when you’re confident, and it’s hard when you’re not.”

Michigan will rely on senior edge rushers Derrick Moore and TJ Guy this fall, but it’s Nichols and Cameron Brandt, who are drawing the most attention from the coaching staff as future stars.

Standing 6-foot-5 and weighing 261 pounds, Dominic Nichols got a taste of action as a freshman. Though he technically redshirted, he still played in four regular-season games before returning for the bowl game. And not just any games — he saw time in high-stakes matchups against teams like Minnesota, Washington, and Illinois, preparing him for what’s to come.

“I want to be the next guy up,” Nichols said. “I’m looking to get into that rotation, earn my minutes, and put up my stats this year.”

Hailing from Frederick, Maryland, Nichols was an underrated three-star recruit with few high-profile offers. But he saw Michigan as a football “powerhouse” and recognized the program’s tradition of excelling with edge rushers. He watched players like Aidan Hutchinson and David Ojabo dominate on the field and then came in to learn from veterans like Josiah Stewart, Derrick Moore, and Cameron Brandt, who worked his way into the rotation as the 2024 season progressed.

Now, Nichols believes it’s his turn to carry on that tradition. As Michigan kicked off its spring practices in March, head coach Sherrone Moore mentioned both Nichols and Brandt alongside the starters. While Moore and Guy will take the field first on game days, Moore emphasized, “We’ve got four guys on the edge that will be pretty good.”

Defensive line coach Lou Esposito has also been full of praise for Nichols, recently telling reporters that the young rusher is “really coming into his own” and lauding his positional versatility.

This offseason, Nichols has focused on improving his versatility, adding about 10 pounds of muscle to his frame to help him hold up against the run while still being a threat in pass-rushing situations.

Now, it’s about putting everything together in the fall — the next step toward a starting role for both him and Brandt.

“I’m really excited to see what they’re going to bring to the table,” senior edge rusher Derrick Moore said. “Both young guys stepping into leadership roles, and they’ve been waiting. Those guys are ready.”

Meet the Michigan Edge Rusher Ready to Make His Mark

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