Illinois linebacker Hardy Nickerson has reported to Champaign for summer workouts after finishing his degree at the University of California, Berkeley. Nickerson majored in legal studies before transferring to Illinois with one year of eligibility left.
Nickerson played in 35 games with the Golden Bears and led the team with 112 tackles in 2015, good for third in the Pac-12. A 2015 team captain, Nickerson finished his Cal career with 246 tackles, 9.0 TFLs, one interception, two forced fumbles and three fumble recoveriesd while also earning two Pac-12 All-Academic honors.
Nickerson met with the media Wednesday to talk about coming to the Fighting Illini. The three-year starter at Cal said, "I'm is just trying to make plays and help the team win. I'm very excited."
Nickerson's father, Hardy Nickerson, is the Fighting Illini's new defensive coordinator under head coach Lovie Smith. It will be the second time in young Hardy's career that he has played for his dad after the two were together at Bishop O'Dowd High School. There, Nickerson had 153 tackles as a senior before earning a scholarship at Cal.
