Tonight, the family of former Miami Hurricanes safety JoJo Nicolas announced that at 5:00pm he passed away from injuries he sustained in a car accident yesterday morning. The brief statement his family gave at 8:00pm was given by his brother, Abner Davis. He was surrounded by his family and Al Golden as the statement was made to the media. Joseph 'JoJo' Nicolas was just 24 years old.
I'm just a fan. I never knew JoJo Nicolas. All I ever knew of him was the guy who wore orange and green every Saturday. So in a sad time like this, it's hard for me to find the right words when discussing a young man who was just recently taken from us. I know he was so much more than a football player, but that's all I know so bear with me. I can't help but think back to his times as a Miami Hurricane.
The first time I ever heard of JoJo Nicolas was in the fall of 2006 on the Grassy premium boards. At the time people were discussing who our targets at safety would be. After securing a verbal commitment from Damien Berry, JoJo was looked at as the guy to complement him as a strong safety. JoJo was a standout 2-way player for Homestead high school, playing safety and wide receiver for the Broncos.
During his senior year there, Miami was going through a terrible season. It included such things as a brawl, a murdered player, blowouts, and a fired coach. The turmoil caused JoJo to commit to Rutgers in December, but then he flipped to Miami on signing day to be a part of Randy Shannon's first class in 2007. After redshirting in 2007, he spent most of his first 2 years playing on special teams. Then in 2010 he started ten games at safety for a defense that ranked 5th in passing yards allowed (158.2). JoJo wasn't the biggest playmaker to come through Coral Gables, but he did contribute as an upperclassmen and became a leader as a senior.
He was also probably the easiest Hurricane player to ever root for, especially when it came to light that his son was born 4 months prematurely in the summer of 2011. Joseph Jr. was born on July 17, 2011 and weighed just 1 pound 4 ounces. He died a month later on August 19, 2011. JoJo had all that personal stuff going on in his life during fall camp of his senior year, and it all happened 3 days after the Shapiro nonsense was just starting to come to light. Any normal person would've been broken and shut things down. It would've been completely understandable too. Instead JoJo decided he would step up and he became a vocal team leader on a team that was desperately in need one.
[video=youtube;WcDNHgYKKAE]www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcDNHgYKKAE[/video]
After a disappointing opener against Maryland where Miami was without several starters, JoJo was said to have made a speech to the team about putting the loss behind them and moving forward to the Ohio State game. That's exactly what the team did. The Hurricanes jumped out to a quick 14-0 lead against Ohio State in the 1st quarter. The Buckeyes couldn't do anything on offense as Braxton Miller was a true freshman and the other guy at quarterback was a dumpster fire. Late in the 1st quarter Ohio State finally put a drive together and crossed the 50 yard line with Miller under center. Later on Miller dropped back to pass, Sean Spence was able to tip it, and JoJo was there to pick off the errant deflection.
The play was another in a series of nut punches to Ohio State in a game that was never really in doubt. The game gave Miami its first win under Al Golden.
A few weeks later Miami was preparing for their game against Georgia Tech. It was on the heels of Miami's first ever win in Chapel Hill since joining the ACC. JoJo was coming off of a career game where he recorded 10 tackles (career high). When playing an option team like the Yellow Jackets it's helpful to get out to a big lead early and force them to pass more. So when Miami went 3 and out to start the game UM's defense needed to get off the field. On Georgia Tech's first offensive play from scrimmage their QB air-mailed a pass right to JoJo.
The ensuing drive gave Miami a 7-0 lead. Both teams traded punts after that until the 2nd quarter, where some guy for Georgia Tech botched a punt. The return man fumbled the ball and Mike James kicked it towards the endzone. JoJo was there for the easy scoop and score.
That touchdown gave Miami a 14-0 lead and it was all the points they would need as they won 24-7. It was the only time Miami won back to back games that season.
These were my fondest memories of JoJo. Like I said earlier I never knew him, and I realize he was so much more than just a player. He was also a son, a brother, a father, and a friend to many people. My heart goes out to all those people who knew him a **** of a lot more (and better) than I did.
[video=youtube;s5ETlShWQ_g]www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5ETlShWQ_g[/video]
I'm just a fan. I never knew JoJo Nicolas. All I ever knew of him was the guy who wore orange and green every Saturday. So in a sad time like this, it's hard for me to find the right words when discussing a young man who was just recently taken from us. I know he was so much more than a football player, but that's all I know so bear with me. I can't help but think back to his times as a Miami Hurricane.
The first time I ever heard of JoJo Nicolas was in the fall of 2006 on the Grassy premium boards. At the time people were discussing who our targets at safety would be. After securing a verbal commitment from Damien Berry, JoJo was looked at as the guy to complement him as a strong safety. JoJo was a standout 2-way player for Homestead high school, playing safety and wide receiver for the Broncos.
During his senior year there, Miami was going through a terrible season. It included such things as a brawl, a murdered player, blowouts, and a fired coach. The turmoil caused JoJo to commit to Rutgers in December, but then he flipped to Miami on signing day to be a part of Randy Shannon's first class in 2007. After redshirting in 2007, he spent most of his first 2 years playing on special teams. Then in 2010 he started ten games at safety for a defense that ranked 5th in passing yards allowed (158.2). JoJo wasn't the biggest playmaker to come through Coral Gables, but he did contribute as an upperclassmen and became a leader as a senior.
He was also probably the easiest Hurricane player to ever root for, especially when it came to light that his son was born 4 months prematurely in the summer of 2011. Joseph Jr. was born on July 17, 2011 and weighed just 1 pound 4 ounces. He died a month later on August 19, 2011. JoJo had all that personal stuff going on in his life during fall camp of his senior year, and it all happened 3 days after the Shapiro nonsense was just starting to come to light. Any normal person would've been broken and shut things down. It would've been completely understandable too. Instead JoJo decided he would step up and he became a vocal team leader on a team that was desperately in need one.
[video=youtube;WcDNHgYKKAE]www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcDNHgYKKAE[/video]
After a disappointing opener against Maryland where Miami was without several starters, JoJo was said to have made a speech to the team about putting the loss behind them and moving forward to the Ohio State game. That's exactly what the team did. The Hurricanes jumped out to a quick 14-0 lead against Ohio State in the 1st quarter. The Buckeyes couldn't do anything on offense as Braxton Miller was a true freshman and the other guy at quarterback was a dumpster fire. Late in the 1st quarter Ohio State finally put a drive together and crossed the 50 yard line with Miller under center. Later on Miller dropped back to pass, Sean Spence was able to tip it, and JoJo was there to pick off the errant deflection.
The play was another in a series of nut punches to Ohio State in a game that was never really in doubt. The game gave Miami its first win under Al Golden.
A few weeks later Miami was preparing for their game against Georgia Tech. It was on the heels of Miami's first ever win in Chapel Hill since joining the ACC. JoJo was coming off of a career game where he recorded 10 tackles (career high). When playing an option team like the Yellow Jackets it's helpful to get out to a big lead early and force them to pass more. So when Miami went 3 and out to start the game UM's defense needed to get off the field. On Georgia Tech's first offensive play from scrimmage their QB air-mailed a pass right to JoJo.
The ensuing drive gave Miami a 7-0 lead. Both teams traded punts after that until the 2nd quarter, where some guy for Georgia Tech botched a punt. The return man fumbled the ball and Mike James kicked it towards the endzone. JoJo was there for the easy scoop and score.
That touchdown gave Miami a 14-0 lead and it was all the points they would need as they won 24-7. It was the only time Miami won back to back games that season.
These were my fondest memories of JoJo. Like I said earlier I never knew him, and I realize he was so much more than just a player. He was also a son, a brother, a father, and a friend to many people. My heart goes out to all those people who knew him a **** of a lot more (and better) than I did.
[video=youtube;s5ETlShWQ_g]www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5ETlShWQ_g[/video]
