Defensive standout adds to list of Byron football players to commit to play in college

Jul. 5—BYRON — The list of college commits on the Byron High School football team keeps growing.

Rising senior safety and receiver Beau Nicklay is one of the latest Bears' players to share his verbal commitment to Division II University of Minnesota-Duluth on social media on June 30.

As a junior, Nicklay recorded 32 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and one interception returned for a touchdown. On offense, he had 120 yards and two touchdowns on five catches. He also averaged 14.83 yards on 18 punt returns.

The 5-foot-11, 187-pound Nicklay received four offers from Division II programs: UMD, University of Sioux Falls, Southwest Minnesota State University and Wayne State University in Detroit.

He was deciding between UMD and Sioux Falls, but the path to his decision ultimately began with Byron's annual trips to Duluth for team football camps.

"I've learned a lot about their program and what they have up there for facilities," Nicklay said of UMD. "And a couple of the coaches there had always reached out to me and they did a really good job of building a relationship with me, which I think helped make a big impact on my decision. ...

"I haven't really explored the city, but I've heard a lot of good things about it, so I'm excited to learn more about it and explore the next couple years."

Nicklay, who is also a track and field athlete, has played football since kindergarten.

"It's just always been kind of a given," he said.

Now that he is set to play football in college, Nicklay credited his family and coaches for helping him reach this point.

Some of Nicklay's biggest supporters are his parents. Growing up, he threw the football around in the backyard with his dad, who played for Triton High School, while his mom, a Stewartville native, drove him to countless practices over the years.

"I think that helped a lot," Nicklay said about getting reps in with his dad. "And I don't think (my mom) has ever missed a game."

Fellow Byron senior defensive lineman Jaymeson Smith shared his verbal commitment to UMD on June 26, just four days before Nicklay. Other recent Byron Division II commits include senior running back/linebacker Jordan Heimer, who will be heading to Minnesota State University, Mankato, and senior left guard Mason Edwards, who will play for Northern Michigan University.

Participating in team camps, using coaches' connections and training three times a week with ETS Performance are a few examples contributing to Byron's continued success.

"It's really exciting, because other programs, they might have one guy every couple years (go play college football), but it seems like every year Byron can at least have a couple guys move on to the next level," Nicklay said. "I think it just shows our coaches and how great they are and how much of an impact they have on the program. ... I think just the way the whole program is built, it has proven success of getting guys to the next level."

The Bears finished 9-1 last season after winning the Skyway Brass District Championship and falling to rival Kasson-Mantorville in the Section 1, Class 4A championship game.

Injuries sidelined several Byron starters last fall, dashing the team's state tournament aspirations.

"It would have been a different story if we didn't have all those injuries, but I think what I learned from it is if you're second string or third string, you just never know," Nicklay said. "It can take one play and you're going to be a starter. So I think as a team we need to be more prepared. ... If we need a guy to step up, then we need them to step up and they need to be ready for it."

In his final high school football season, Nicklay wants to focus on making plays when it matters most and taking advantage of opportunities on the field to do so. He also wants to see solid leadership from himself and his peers.

"The seniors are spread out well position-wise, so we kind of have a guy in every position," Nicklay said. "I think if we can step up as leaders and as seniors and teach the younger guys how to be prepared for a game, so we're all ready as a team, I think it could lead to something great."