Jordan Shaw has spent much of his football career moving around the secondary , but the Texas A&M defensive back has found a new and stable home at nickel.
Shaw said in a fall camp press conference on Tuesday that he played some cornerback during his time at Washington and saw some snaps at safety in high school.
It seems, though, that the nickel is a tale as old as time for Shaw and his football career thus far.
Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback Taylen Green (10) rushes during the fourth quarter as Texas A&M Aggies cornerback Jordan Shaw (8) defends at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
"I played corner a little bit at (Washington), but mainly nickel everywhere I've been," Shaw said.
His connection to the rare but valuable position goes back to his time at the All-American camp, where coaches first moved him to nickel. Shaw said that his early experience helped establish the position as a great fit for him, one that will stick.
"Even in high school, I played safety a little bit, but like when I went to like the All-American camp, that's when they put me at nickel, and that's when I just like been playing it since," Shaw said.
At Texas A&M, that experience allows Shaw to bring a different, more versatile skill set to the Aggies' defense.
The nickel position can require a defensive back to handle responsibilities that range from man coverage press to defending space in zone, while also occasionally being involved in the pass rush or playing deeper in the secondary.
For Shaw, that variety is exactly what makes the position such a good fit for his play style.
"I feel like it allows me to be versatile," Shaw said.
Athletes at nickel have a better chance to influence a game in several different ways. Shaw said he is comfortable lining up in man coverage, dropping into zone, blitzing, or playing half-field responsibilities.
"Like, I could play man, I could drop zone, I could blitz, I could play half," Shaw said. "So it just let me be versatile."
Texas A&M Aggies cornerback Jordan Shaw (8) drops into coverage during the game between the Aggies and the Hurricanes at Kyle Field. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Rather than being limited to one type of assignment, the nickel role allows him to simply be what the defense needs him to be on any given play.
Playing the nickel can be particularly valuable in a conference where offenses often challenge defenses with unique personnel groupings and formations.
Being the guy who can handle multiple assignments makes you indispensable and even more important to the success of the program.
Establishing himself at nickel has given Shaw the opportunity to develop into a comfortable player with a little bit of everything in his toolbag. Don't be surprised if his evolution has a bigger impact on Texas A&M than you expected.
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This article was originally published on www.si.com/college/tamu as Jordan Shaw Embraces Versatility in Texas A&M's Nickel Role .
