Nicholson later revealed he sustained a torn labrum last season, but managed to play through it before getting surgery in the offseason.

“A torn labrum,” Nicholson said. “I got it fixed. It's all good. I just had surgery on March 8. I'm looking to come back early August, mid-August at the latest. I'm going to do everything in my power to get healthy fast. Whatever the doctor tells me, I will do tenfold. I just got the stitches out actually recently, and it's already feeling loads better.”

The Monroeville, Pa. native was told in February before the combine he had torn his labrum, but Nicholson and his agent agreed the former Spartan would battle through the pain and attempt to put up impactful numbers at the NFL Combine.

Nicholson did just that as his 40-yard dash time of 4.42 was the third fastest of a safety at the combine. He also recorded 35 inches on the vertical jump and was fifth among safeties in the broad jump with 125 inches.

“We had a plan to go to the combine, put up numbers,” he said. “If I was happy with them, get the surgery right away afterwards, if not, come to Pro Day and take care of business there. I spoke with my agent, he seemed to be happy with my numbers that I put up in Indy, and I was too, so we decided to get it done two days afterwards so I can heal and be ready for wherever I go.”

Despite the torn labrum, Nicholson said teams have not shown much concern toward the injury.

“Teams have asked my agent about it,” Nicholson said. “Teams have asked me about it. They’re not really stressing it, but you never know. It’s a business and it’s up to them if they want to bring in a player like me. I feel like I have a lot to offer even with this shoulder, but that’s up to them at this point.”

Nicholson said he only has one visit currently planned with the Seattle Seahawks, but his agent is working on getting more.

Nicholson recorded 200 tackles, four interceptions, four pass break-ups, 4.5 tackles for loss, three fumble recoveries and one forced fumble in his three-year, 38-game career at MSU.

“I've had a pretty good career here, and now I just felt like my time here was great, as far as playing, my relationships I've made, it was just time for me to move on and learn more at the next level,” Nicholson said. “Not saying I wasn't doing it here, because by all means I was, I've learned more here than anywhere else because our staff was so great, but there was always a means to an end, you know. As a little kid, you dream of playing college football, but the ultimate dream is to play in the NFL. I had the opportunity, so I decided to seize it. I'm trying to make the most of it now.”