Raised in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Nicholson was an All-American linebacker at Mount Tabor High School.

[1] After official visits to Texas, Florida State, Miami (FL), Tennessee, and North Carolina—his father's alma mater—Nicholson chose to play for the Seminoles.

In his true freshman season, Nicholson saw action as a member of special teams as well as a backup outside linebacker behind returning starter Kendyll Pope.

During the off-season in February 2005, Nicholson was arrested for driving under the influence in Leon County, Florida, and was later ordered to serve three days of jail time in work camp and pay a $402 fine.

Nicholson earned Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the Week honors after a career game at Boston College, in which he recorded 19 tackles (17 solo) and two interceptions (including the one returned for a score).

Nicholson got suspended from his final college game, the Orange Bowl against Penn State, after sexually assaulting a 19-year-old female at the team hotel in Hollywood, Florida.

[6][7] Described as “a solid athlete with a well-rounded game,” Nicholson was projected as a mid-sixth round pick by Sports Illustrated.

[10] In May 2006, Nicholson and former Seminoles teammate Fred Rouse were charged with stealing electronic equipment worth approximately $1,700 from the home of Lorenzo Booker, then a junior at Florida State.