With spring practice underway, the 2025 recruiting classes are gaining momentum, and Arizona State is seeing some of their efforts pay off. The Sun Devils’ first official visit during the weekend of spring practice yielded positive results.
Niniva Nicholson, a 6-foot-3, 285-pound offensive lineman from Santa Margarita Catholic High School, publicly announced his commitment to Arizona State on Tuesday morning. He had already verbally pledged to the program during his visit to Tempe. Nicholson chose the Sun Devils and head coach Kenny Dillingham over offers from Cal, Stanford, and several other schools.
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Nicholson, who hails from Oceanside, California, is being recruited by Arizona State as a center. His commitment highlights the Sun Devils’ success in recruiting Polynesian players. He is the third Polynesian player to commit to the 2026 class, joining a team that already includes more than a dozen players of Polynesian heritage.
“I knew ASU was the right choice right when I was around the boys,” Nicholson said. “They showed me the actual culture they have and I already felt at home and that ASU is my aiga. With the amount of Polys on the team also is huge to me because it takes a village and ASU has a great one.”
Nicholson had scheduled visits with Cal and Stanford but is now not expected to take those trips. He also held offers from Oregon and San Diego State, among others. His enthusiasm for joining the Sun Devils is evident.
“ASU shows and doesn’t tell me. I’m fired up to build on what great foundation is built and play for not just great coaches, but great people,” Nicholson said. “Forks up, We gone eat.”
Nicholson is the third offensive line commit in the class. He joins Marques Ulni, who recently committed and officially visited Tempe last weekend, and Cortavious Tisaby. Nicholson is the ninth pledge for Arizona State in the 2026 class and the third prospect from California, along with tight ends Israel Briggs and Hayden Vercher.
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Nicholson’s commitment marks the ninth for Arizona State. He spoke highly of his official visit over the weekend.
“ASU and playing for Coach Dillingham is definitely exciting because the true culture they have that is continuing to thrive,” Nicholson said. “A tsunami wave that is forming for this program is special.”
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