For rising senior John Nyquist, every kick will be crucial, and every decision made will make an impact on his future.
So far four schools have showed interest in the Bearcats kicker including Auburn, LSU, Memphis and Middle Tennessee State.
"I haven't got any offers yet, but they are talking to me through mail and letters," Nyquist said. "I would like to sign and play college football."
Although Nyquist has schools interested in him, the guarantee of getting signed in unknown.
"I think a lot of schools will look at John but it's a very difficult thing," said Cullman football head coach Mark Britton. "A lot of schools won't grant scholarships to kickers until they earn the starting position. We will just have to see if they are willing, and John is aware of this."
Though Nyquist said he has no preference on where he goes to school, his main emphasis is staying close to home and preferably playing in the SEC.
Last season Nyquist rose as a top prospect in the state of Alabama, making 13-of-17 field goals with a long of 56 yards. He also made 38-of-41 extra points.
With all the outside pressure put on Nyquist to succeed this season, he said he is calmly waiting for the season to begin after working with his coaches.
"It's more fun than anything for me," Nyquist said. "Coach Britton has helped me by not putting a lot of pressure on me. They are looking to score every time they get into opposing territory and not settle for field goals."
Nyquist also mentioned playing baseball for Bryan Bowen has helped his mental game as well.
"Playing for coach Bowen has helped me out the most mentally," Nyquist said. "We worked a lot in practice about coming up in big situations, and if you succeed in doing that there is no punishment and a lot of joy."
The kick that really grabbed scouts attention was a 56-yard field goal that helped propel Cullman to a win over Gadsden High School last season.
"We were in a stalemate against Gadsden, and he hit a 56-yarder," Britton said. "It not only got us three points, but it was a momentum swing for us. He is a tremendous weapon."
Nyquist has attended camps at the University of Alabama and Auburn University which has helped him to prepare for the upcoming season. He didn't get to work with the coaches due to Division I rules.
"I went there in June and coaches are not allowed to talk to rising seniors until July," Nyquist said. "I have picked up a few things at the camps though, and I have gotten better at addressing the ball."
Nyquist said he hopes to major in International Business in college. But no matter when he goes to school he said his objectives are clear.
"It would mean a lot as far as the respect I would receive from my teammates," Nyquist said. "I want them to know the odds of me making a field goal are pretty high and that I can handle the pressure in a big time situation."
Top Sports
Kicking for the future
Nyquist looking forward to opportunity to be a star at Cullman High School and the collegiate level
- Top Sports
-
-
NBA: Heat, Pacers say Game 2 should be even better
Losing a game at the final buzzer, no less than a playoff game on the road against the reigning NBA champion Miami Heat, would seem to have potential to demoralize the Indiana Pacers.
Or not. -
PREP BOYS BASKETBALL: St. Bernard cuts Boatright's break short, hires longtime coach
Cullman County's coaching carousel is taking its latest spin.
-
LOCAL SPORTS: Former Tide player Bates excited for upcoming Castille Camp
The entire time he played football for the University of Alabama and Tennessee Titans, Todd Bates was a poet. His teammates just didn’t know it.
-
WALLACE STATE GOLF: Olsen secures low-medalist honors at NJCAA Men’s Championship
Although most everyone’s attention was on Wallace State’s softball team and its title run in Utah this past weekend, Aksel Olsen was busy securing his own national accolades at last week’s NJCAA Men’s Golf Championship in Lubbock, Texas.
-
Bears LB Urlacher announces his retirement
Star linebacker Brian Urlacher is calling it a career after 13 seasons with the Chicago Bears.
-
LOCAL SPORTS: Nelsons have Arkadelphia track back in action
When Heather Nelson was approached by her husband, Anthony, back in January about the possibility of taking on a unique challenge, the former chalked it up to being another one of her spouse’s crazy ideas.
-
NBA: Thunder star Kevin Durant makes $1M tornado pledge
Oklahoma City isn't just a place where Thunder star Kevin Durant lives these days. It's home.
So as he watched the horrifying images Monday as a tornado ripped through suburban Moore, the emotions came bubbling to the surface and so did the need to help. Durant pledged $1 million for tornado relief through his foundation on Tuesday, eager to help a devastated area begin to rebuild. -
PREP FOOTBALL: Local business calls audible on $10,000 prize, donates entire amount back to West Point Quarterback Club
The West Point Quarterback Club was just trying to make a little extra money during a draw-down fundraiser this past December.
-
PGA TOUR: Woods, Garcia unlikely to make-up any time soon
Tiger Woods spoke for some 20 minutes about the state of his game, belly putters, the U.S. Open and the AT&T National. As he was wrapping up, he needed just one word to cover the topic of Sergio Garcia.
-
WALLACE STATE SOFTBALL: Lady Lions use lack of respect, offensive outburst to fuel national championship run
For a team that’s a perennial contender at the NJCAA Division I softball national tournament, Wallace State had a chip on its shoulder this year in Utah, feeling all along it deserved more than the eighth seed.
- More Top Sports Headlines
-
NBA: Heat, Pacers say Game 2 should be even better



