Focus 2007 - DE Nickcaro Golding

A prospect who’s stock is definitely on the rise in Illinois is Nickcaro Golding, a 6-foot-5, 215-pound, defensive end, from Evanston, Ill. Golding has only played football for one season but it didn’t take him long to get the hang of the game.

“The coaches taught me the technique and once I started to feel comfortable, I was able to let loose.” Nickcaro Golding said.

Golding earned all-league honors and attended the U.S. Army National Combine in San Antonio this past January.

“I don’t have any scholarship offers yet,” Golding said. “My favorites are Northern Illinois, Iowa, Michigan State, Nebraska, Wisconsin and Michigan.”

Golding has a huge upside. He has long arms and big strong hands. Golding will be a Scout.com Midwest “Hot 100” candidate in 2006.

“Nickcaro is a fantastic football player,” said Evanston coach Tony Johnson.

“He (Golding) has all the tools to be successful in college. Nickcaro just started playing the game so he hasn’t even touched the surface of his potential yet.

"Nickcaro is just an untapped talent that has a bright future. There are a lot of schools on him right now and Illinois is probably the most interested.”

Golding has attended junior days at Northern Illinois and Illinois and we asked Nickcaro what his plans for the spring and summer were at this point.

“I’m going to the Scout.com (All-American) Combine on April 22nd.” Golding said.

“I’m going to sit down with my coaches and discuss with them what my options are for the summer. I might go to a few camps but I’m not sure which ones yet.

What are Golding’s strengths as a football player?

“I’ve got speed and I can run,” Golding said. “I can get the edge on my pass rush and I have the long arms to lock out and keep the offensive lineman off me. I want to work on getting stronger and getting my weight up this summer.”