Miami University kicker Graham Nicholson announced his commitment to Alabama on Sunday night.
Nicholson won the 2023 Lou Groza Collegiate Placekicker Award and is the first RedHawk to capture a national accolade in program history.
“I want to thank Miami University and everyone involved for believing in me out of high school and welcoming me into a family,” Nicholson said. “I want to thank Coach (Chuck) Martin for the trust he has placed with me and for being an unbelievable leader and mentor over the past 3 years.”
Nicholson, who was not present for Miami’s spring showcase on Saturday, finished this past season 26-for-27 on field goals and missed one extra point.
With a 23-for-23 regular season, Nicholson set a new FBS record for the most field goals in a perfect regular season, topping 2012 Lou Groza Award winner Cairo Santos’ mark of 21.
With a pair of field goals to start the MAC Championship Game, Nicholson made 25 consecutive field goals that matched the all-time FBS record for the longest streak in one season. Overall, his 26 field goals tied for the second-most in FBS while his 96.3% accuracy was the highest by any kicker with even 15 attempts on the year.
Nicholson made a field goal in every game this season. The junior kicked multiple field goals in nine games, including a trio of 3-for-3 performances, helping the RedHawks to an 11-2 season — Miami’s best record since 2003.
Over the last 10 seasons, Nicholson is just the second MAC kicker to finish a season with better than 90% accuracy. His 19 field goals from at least 30 yards out are third in the nation, with 10 from at least 40 yards out tying for third as well.
While his season-long came from 52 yards away versus Bowling Green, his most important kick may actually have been the shortest this season. His 20-yarder on the road in Cincinnati tied things late, allowing the RedHawks to knock off their oldest rival 31-24 in overtime, Miami’s first win over the Bearcats since 2005.
