Report: Former NCAA Rushing Champ Lew Nichols to Visit Broncos

Nichols was the 2021 MAC Offensive Player of the Year.

The Denver Broncos are set to use an "upcoming" top-30 pre-draft visit on a former NCAA rushing champion.

Per Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, the Broncos will meet with former Central Michigan running back Lew Nichols III, who's "finishing up his pro day drills" Monday.

Central Michigan RB Lew Nichols III, who led the NCAA in rushing in 2021, is finishing up his pro day drills today in his return from a hamstring injury. Has a busy calendar w/visits to the Packers already, & Bengals and Broncos upcoming. He'll be at Lions local day workout, too

— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) April 10, 2023

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Nichols, 21, began his Chippewas career with a bang, earning Mid-American Conference Offensive Rookie of the Year honors. He punctuated it the following season by leading the FBS in rushing yards (1,710) and carries (311) — including nine 100-yard efforts — en route to 2021 first-team All-MAC and MAC Offensive Player of the Year selections.

All told, the 5-foot-10, 220-pound back recorded 615 collegiate totes for 3,046 ground yards and 26 touchdowns, adding 575 receiving yards and three TDs on 71 catches.

The Draft Network's Brentley Weissman compared Nichols to ex-Buccaneers star Leonard Fournette.

"Nichols is a well-built back that offers very good size and a sturdy lower half," Weissman wrote. "He is an above-average athlete for his size but like most bigger backs, he lacks some of the agility and top-end speed to make him a big-play threat at the next level."

A projected Day 3 pick, Nichols would join Javonte Williams and free-agent additions Samaje Perine and Tony Jones in the revamped Broncos backfield.

"Nichols wouldn't be a bad fit if the Broncos didn't have all the options for power from the position," Mile High Huddle draft analyst Erick Trickel opined. "However, they need someone who brings more big-play potential and reliability as a receiver. There also is the issue that Nichols doesn't have special teams experience, which is where he would have to make the roster."

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