Auburn Recruiting: Evaluating Defensive Tackle Dimitry Nicolas

The 2024 Auburn Tigers recruiting class boasts three defensive line commitments that add to the 2023 six-man defensive line haul. From that 2024 group, defensive tackle Dimitry Nicolas is a unique and valuable prospect to take a closer look at.

Seeing Nicolas play live with his Miami (Fla.) Norland squad versus traditional power Lakeland (Fla.) High School, here are areas where the interior defensive lineman does best and what he needs to work on (see Nicolas interview in video above).

At roughly 6-foot-2 and 290 pounds, this is a traditional interior defensive lineman that’s difficult to move off his spot; Nicolas holds his gap well. A naturally powerful player – from his upper and lower body – that uses leverage to his advantage, Nicolas often powers his way towards the opposing ball carrier.

Most notably, Nicolas shows sheer effort. That’s a must for defensive line play. Interior defensive linemen are often double teamed, and that’s where the “want to” comes into play.

Even when he is battling two offensive linemen, Nicolas goes hard. That’s a great starting point for long-term success. Looking at his future position, there are also multiple options for Auburn.

He is capable as a traditional defensive tackle (3-technique), or as a nose guard (1-technique). Either way, the frame, power, and leverage for Nicolas shows over and over.

As a pass rusher, that’s where Nicolas will need the most improvement. Continuing to mix up his moves and learning new techniques, like with most young interior defensive linemen, will be a large part of Nicolas’s maturation process. Now, it’s also good to note that Nicolas is adding to an interior unit that’s getting bigger and now has more talent.

Last year’s recruiting class includes Stephen Johnson, a 6-foot-3 and 337-pound interior bruiser. Adding Nicolas to Johnson for SEC play in particular, that’s a great one-two punch along the interior. Auburn needs more size and these two power players are a great start from the prep ranks.

To that point, Auburn now has seven defensive line recruits that weigh 260 or more pounds from the 2023 and 2024 recruiting classes. Size, yes, it definitely matters in the SEC. Nicolas will be a big part of how Auburn uses that size for years to come.

Auburn Recruiting: Evaluating Defensive Tackle Dimitry Nicolas

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