Nicholson was heralded as the top kicker in the country last season for sinking 27-of-28 field goals.
The best kicker from the 2023 college football season hailed from the Mid-American Conference.
Miami (OH) kicker Graham Nicholson sunk 27-of-28 field goals to become the first MAC player to win the Lou Groza Award, handed annually to the top kicker in the country.
However, Nicholson will seek college football’s version of free agency this offseason and take his efficient kicking leg elsewhere. The star special teamer entered the transfer portal on Friday, as first reported by On3 Sports.
Nicholson posted one of the best kicking seasons in college football history last season. He tied the FBS record for 25 consecutive made field goals, matching former Washington kicker Chuck Nelson who accomplished the same task in the 1982 season. The consensus All-American ranked first in the FBS in field goal percentage among kickers with more than 15 field goal attempts at 96.4 percent. He drilled 17-of-17 field goals under 40 yards, connected on 9-of-10 from the 40-49 range, and successfully nailed his only attempt beyond 50 — a 52-yard field goal against Bowling Green.
Nicholson was pivotal in Miami’s MAC title run, sinking three field goals — including two beyond 40 yards — in the RedHawks’ 23-14 MAC Championship Game upset over Toledo.
Prior to his breakout season in 2023, Nicholson made 15-of-20 attempts in 2021 and 18-of-23 attempts in 2022. After completing spring ball with the RedHawks, the Cincinnati native prepares for his fourth season of college football, as many suitors are likely interested in the reigning Lou Groza Award winner.
If Nicholson does not withdraw from the portal, he will leave Miami with the second most field goals in program history (60), behind Gary Gussman, who hit 68 from 1984-87.
Redshirt freshman Kellan McLaughlin, who made three extra points last season, is the likely Nicholson replacement at Miami, but punter Dom Dzioban also has past kicking experience with the RedHawks with three extra point makes from 2021-22.