“We are thrilled to have (Nichol) back and thrilled to have our quarterbacks on campus in a very competitive situation,” Dantonio said. “We are very excited for him and his family and for the entire MSU family.”

Dantonio said Nichol has an uncanny ability to escape from sticky situations and make big plays happen. But there is another quality that Dantonio finds even more impressive in him.

“He is a proven winner just like all the quarterbacks who come here,” he said. “It’s a good fit.”

Nichol verbally committed to former head coach John L. Smith and his pass-heavy spread offense, but decided that Oklahoma would be a better option when Dantonio was hired to replace Smith because Dantonio runs a pro-style offense.

Nichol’s return will force him to sit out a season, but he looks forward to practicing and learning the ropes of the new offense from Hoyer.

“It will help my game to sit under a fifth-year senior and watch his leadership and how he does things,” Nichol said. “I’m going to take advantage and I can always add a little more to my game.”

In the 2009 season, Nichol will likely compete against fellow sophomore Kirk Cousins for the starting spot.

No promises have been made to anyone as the quarterback position will be earned on the field, Dantonio said.

“We understand that this is just the first step (for Nichol),” he said. “He has a lot of steps to climb, just like our other quarterbacks.”

Growing up about 60 miles away in Lowell, Nichol grew up an MSU fan, and said he looks forward to living closer to home.

“I’m excited to wear the Green and White,” he said. “My heart has always been at MSU.”