Recruiting Report: Preston Nimley (2021)

Brian Jerzak June 12, 2020 @ 04:30 PM

Looking at the numbers, it is hard to say Irondale junior <strong>Preston Nimley</strong> just had an average season. Even though he recorded his first varsity interception while often covering the opponent's top receiver – in his first year starting – and put up solid stats, Nimley was not satisfied with his season. What he calls average could be a launching point toward bigger things in his senior season. "I think I did good, but I could have done a lot better," Nimley said. "I had four pass breakups, an interception, and 44 tackles. It was a pretty average season." At corner, where Nimley lined up was based on the week's opponent. "I mainly played on the left side," Nimley said, "but if the coaches would sometimes line me up against a team's best receiver." Nimley feels he is best in zone coverage but can play man-to-man nearly as well. A full-time corner, he also saw some time on offense. "I played about a quarter of the game on offense at either slot receiver or running back – to give guys a break." 2019 was not Nimley's first exposure to varsity football. He got a taste last year. "This is my first year starting, but as a sophomore, I would play a few series a game at corner." As a junior, the season for the team did not play out the way Nimley hoped. "We thought we had a strong team," Nimley told prepredzone.com. "We did well at an NDSU team camp. We won two of our first three games, and then we started to get hit with injuries. We got a playoff win and then lost in the second round." "When we were working together and just doing your part," Nimley continued, "that helped the team win. We had a strong running game. If we got the running game going, it opened the passing game. On the defensive side of the ball, when we moved fast and were quick, we would get a lot of takeaways." The 5'10" 170-pound defensive back has been studying his deficiencies to have a better than average season next year. "I need to work on my eye discipline. I have been watching a lot of film to see my tendencies. I know I need to work on my feet too. I tend not to follow my body with my feet. I have been getting some tips from coaches, and that has helped me a lot." With everyone affected by Covid-19, Nimley has had to modify his workouts. "I lifted this winter and worked mainly on my upper body strength. I have a little gym set up in my basement, so I have been doing that." Nimley would have played lacrosse this spring. Recruiting started slowly for the Knights' junior – until he took control of his fate. "At first, I didn't have anything going, but then a couple of schools sent me some junior day invites. That got me excited, so I started sending colleges my film, and coaches started reaching out to me. The main schools (interested) right now are Bemidji State – they offered me a scholarship – and University of Mary." Nimley is being recruited as a corner. "Mary said I have 'that dog' in me. I play with an edge. Bemidji thinks I am one of the best corners in the state." Although Nimley might think his season was average, he has a DII offer and interest from at least one other school to tell him he is not just an average football player.