PRO: Drafted in the fifth round (147th overall) in the 2009 NFL Draft…sixth player taken from Oklahoma in franchise history.
2009:
COLLEGE: Started 37 of 51 games at Oklahoma; 26 at strong safety, five at free safety, five at nickel back, one at middle linebacker... Ranks sixth in school history among defensive backs with 233 tackles (143 solos)... Ranks 12th in school history with 21 pass break-ups.
PERSONAL: Graduated in December 2008 with a degree in health and exercise science... Attended Alexandria (La.) High School, playing football for head coach Butch Stroker... Named the state of Louisiana's unanimous Defensive Most Valuable Player... Recorded 74 tackles and intercepted 11 passes, returning four for touchdowns his senior season, leading the school to consecutive state playoff appearances in his final two campaigns...at Oklahoma, served at president of Bridge Builders, an organization of African-American athletes involved in community service...Named to the American Football Coaches Association Good Works Team…Guardian is LaQuanda Harrell...Resides in Alexandria, Louisiana.
COMMUNITY: In 2009, Nic participated in the Toyota Rookie Club appearing at numerous community events throughout Western New York and Southern Ontario. The Toyota Rookie Club helps the franchises newest players become more involved in the Western New York community. Each month, Nic and all first year players did one community appearance as a group. The Toyota Rookie Club events included a visit to Dave & Buster’s to play video games and host a pizza party with pediatric cancer patients hosted by Brian Moorman’s PUNT Foundation, a visit to the Lawrence Park Collegiate Institute Panthers in Toronto, Ontario to discuss the importance of sport and activity with the student-athletes and to present the football team with $3,000 in new equipment for the school’s football program, and a trip to the Northwest Buffalo Community Center in November 2009 where the Rookie Club Members served Thanksgiving Dinner to approximately 300 children and families. In addition to serving food, the players introduced themselves to the community members during a brief ceremony, sat and ate with them, and signed autographs.
The final Rookie Club appearance of 2009 took place at the Annual Bills Holiday Party. The Rookie Club and Bills veterans hosted nearly 100 children from a number of different local community organizations. The Annual Holiday Party gives children from the organizations an opportunity to celebrate the holidays with the Bills players, Jills cheerleaders, Billy Buffalo, and Santa Claus. The children received a holiday dinner, pictures and autographs and gifts from a wish list that they had previously submitted.
Nic also participated in the 2009 Community Ticket Donation Program by donating 20 season tickets to the United Way. Over 200 people were part of Nic’s Picks and attended Buffalo Bills home games where they were also treated to food and beverage coupons compliments of Nic.
Nic has become heavily involved in the Buffalo Bills “Play 60” Challenge sponsored by BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York and the American Heart Association. Nic helped to introduce the program in a kickoff celebration for over 1,700 students in the Buffalo Public Schools. At the celebration he participated in a “Play 60” themed trivia show and also shared health and fitness tips with the group of 3rd – 6th grade students. Nic was also in attendance for the Cinqo-De-Mayo event at Women & Children’s Hospital of Buffalo which was hosted by fellow teammate Lydell Sargeant. Nic signed autographs, posed for pictures and helped everyone make maracas!
In addition, Nic was also a part of the Extreme Makeover: Home Edition move in day when the show took over Buffalo’s West Side in November. Nic and his fellow teammates carried in couches, mattresses, tables and chairs to make the family feel at home again. Once the move was complete, Nic hung around on the construction site to sign autographs and pose for pictures with the other volunteers and ABC’s crew!