WESLACO — As a sophomore in 2014, Weslaco linebacker Jordan Nichols rushed on to the scene and quickly became one of the Panthers’ main weapons on defense.
Coming into this season, however, Nichols finds himself in a new role as one of the main voices in the center of the Weslaco defense.
With the Panther defense being a younger unit than last season —when it was considered one of the Valley’s best— Nichols’s job will not be an easy one.
Nevertheless, he’s ready.
“I’m considered a veteran this year, so that means all the guys on defense will be looking up to me and expecting me to lead them in the right direction,” Nichols said. “Everything I do, they’re going to want to do. So I have to push myself harder personally so that everyone else can push themselves harder.
“People know who I am now, so I’m sure I’ll get extra attention during games.”
Nichols has not only been an asset for the young defensive minds on the field, but he’s also helped the coaches on the sidelines as well.
With Nichols’ awareness of the game, the Panthers coaching staff tends to breathe a little easier with him running the show during drives.
“We hold Jordan in high regard and his football IQ will carry him through a lot of situations. He’s making adjustments as the opposing offense is moving the football,” Weslaco head coach Tony Villarreal said. “It’s almost like having a coach out on the field. It’s a young defense, but he’s a very experienced middle linebacker who can help. We’ll give him free reign to move people around.”
Unlike last year, the Weslaco offense will be the unit with the experience and the punch.
The defense is a unit still coming along and learning, but Nichols is confident that the unit will fare well once district comes around.
Until then, the humble Nichols will look to his offense for support.
“When each side of the ball is slumping, the other has their back. This year, we have a lot of veteran players on offense and they are more comfortable right now than we are,” Nichols said. “We’re going to rely more on the offense this year. Last year we had the vets and we were comfortable. We just need to get out of this uncomfortable zone so our mentality can change.”
Nichols giving an assessment of the young unit under him is exactly why Villarreal has so much faith in the junior linebacker and thinks he is wise beyond his years.
It’s all about playing the games, and Nichols knows that.
“That’s how smart Jordan is; he realizes that the only way you’re going to get better is trial by fire,” Villarreal said. “You can coach them up and encourage them, pat them on the back, but at the end of the day, you have to get out there.”
Even with the early season learning curve, Nichols expects to live up to the annual expectations.
“I see everyone’s confidence getting better and everyone playing faster. I think we’ll be good to go by district,” Nichols said. “There are always high expectations here in Weslaco—district is mandatory. I want bi-district and I want to go past the second round because it’s been a while since this team has done that.”