Dane Brugler
22. DADI NICOLAS
PRONUNCIATION DAD-ee
Virginia Tech
6027 235 lbs
5SR
Delray Beach, Fla. (Atlantic)
9/29/1992 (age 23)
#58
MEASUREABLES Arm: 34 3/4 | Hand: 10 3/8 | Wingspan: 82 1/4
COMBINE 40-YD: 4.74 | 10-YD: 1.70 | 20-YD: 2.80 | BP: 14 | VJ: 41 | BJ: 09’08” | SS: 4.38 | 3C: 7.04
PRO DAY 40-YD: 4.78 | 10-YD: 1.65 | 20-YD: 2.75 | VJ: 38 | BJ: 10’05” | SS: 4.63 | 3C: 7.65
GRADE 5th Round
YEAR (GP/GS) TKLS TFL SACK FF
2011: Redshirted
2012: (10/0) 17 3.5 2.0 1
2013: (13/1) 32 7.0 4.0 0
2014: (13/13) 72 18.5 9.0 0
2015: (13/12) 45 7.0 2.5 2
Total: (49/26) 166 36.0 17.5 3
BACKGROUND: A three-star defensive end recruit out of high school, Dadi L’homme Nicolas, who was born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti before moving to Florida at three months old, initially committed to Minnesota before switching to Virginia Tech. After redshirting in 2011, he recorded 17 tackles and 2.0 sacks as a back-up in 2012. Nicolas saw his role expanded in 2013 as a sophomore hybrid linebacker (one start), finishing with 32 tackles, 7.0 tackles for loss and 4.0 sacks. He started every game as a junior in 2014 and had his most productive season with 72 tackles, 18.5 tackles for loss and 9.0 sacks, earning Second Team All-ACC honors. Nicolas returned to school for his senior season in 2015 (12 starts) and posted 45 tackles, 7.0 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. He accepted his invitation to the 2016 Senior Bowl.
STRENGTHS: Athletic edge rusher with fluid footwork…excellent first-step momentum with the flexible joints to easily bend the corner while picking up speed…quick reactor to avoid blocks, split double-teams and penetrate…smooth lateral agility to stunt and loop…very good chase speed to close the gap…jolts as a tackler with wrap skills…doesn’t avoid contact and stays assignment sound, working to hold the edge and leverage the field…has the length required for the edge – eight passes defended and two blocked kicks in his career…active hand work and keeps busy…persistent motor and never lets up…improved ball awareness and sniffs out screens…plays through nagging injuries, including a broken left hand in 2015…graduated with a degree in sociology (Dec. 2014).
WEAKNESSES: Skinny lower body and lacks the frame to carry desired muscle…not a strong point of attack player and easily overwhelmed in the run game, quickly losing leverage…late to detach himself once engaged and ends up where blockers want…doesn’t mix up his pass rush moves and relies on his lower body to do most of the work…needs to show a more efficient plan of attack…leggy movements and struggles to control himself on the move…wild break down skills in pursuit, lacking the toughness to consistently finish if not square…loses sight of the ball vs. the run and lacks gap integrity…needs to eliminate offsides penalties – inexcusable mental mistake (Nov. 2015), accidentally smacking an official during on-field outburst…lean body features and lack of body armor leads to durability concerns…disappointing senior production, falling well below the standards he set as a junior…off-field decision-making needs investigated – arrested (June 2012) after stealing a bike on campus and was charged with felony second-degree larceny, which was reduced to misdemeanor petty larceny (ordered to perform 125 hours of community service).
SUMMARY: A two-year starter at Virginia Tech, Nicolas lined up mostly at left defensive end and often head-up over the offensive tackle with his hand on the ground, but was much more effective standing up and rushing off the edge – impressive 2014 production, but his play fell off as a senior, mostly out of position. He boasts a fast first step and moves light, but he also plays light and struggles to control the point of attack, lacking a projectable frame to set a hard edge. Although a nonstop hustle player, Nicolas is a liability vs. the run and as a pass rusher, he lacks refinement and is too reliant on speed – there’s a place in the NFL for his athletic skill-set, but projects as more of a subpackage contributor than dependable starter.