Ja'Wuan Nickson is a high-volume, all-around linebacker with proven production and playmaking impact
Nickson looks like an immediate-impact linebacker for Eastern Illinois: in 2025 he started all 12 games, earned second-team All OVC-Big South honors, and finished with 95 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, and 3 pass breakups. His value goes beyond the box score — he consistently shows up as a tone-setting, physical defender with good instincts and range, and he’s been reliable in big-minute roles. If you want a productive, tough, plug-and-play linebacker, he fits.
