Nicholson goes family route

Winston Salem (N.C.) Mt. Tabor linebacker Derek Nicholson made his announcement live on ESPNews today and chose between North Carolina, Florida State and Texas. Family ties played a small part in his choice, but is he following in his father's footsteps at UNC or is he joining his brother at FSU?

"I committed to Florida State," said the 6-foot-0, 220-pounder, who is ranked as the No. 2 inside linebacker in the country and No. 30 overall. "It just came down to being comfortable and FSU is a place I've known about really well since I was a freshman in high school and my brother was recruited."

Nicholson took official visits to all three of his favorites and the most impressive was Texas.

"That was awesome," he said. "It really impressed me how big-time everything is there for football. It's probably because I've been to UNC around 10 times and FSU just as many times as well, but Texas was impressive.

"My family was great and never told me where to go. They told me to pray on it and go with my heart, no matter where it is. It's a bonus to be able to play with A.J. again at Florida State and continue to learn under him, but in the end it just came down to a good feeling about FSU, coach Bowden and everything about the Seminoles."

Nicholson was a standout at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in the middle of January.

"I went down there to prove I was the best linebacker in the country," he said. "I think I did well."

Florida State was the first school to offer Nicholson, back in his sophomore year.

"When they were recruiting A.J., they got to see me a lot too," he said. "I guess that helped, knowing they were so interested so long."