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Redskins: Why Troy Apke could have a similar impact to Montae Nicholson if given the chance

By Jacob Camenker

JACKSONVILLE, FL - JANUARY 02: Jay Rome #87 of the Georgia Bulldogs is defended by Troy Apke #28 of the Penn State Nittany Lions while attempting to catch a pass during the TaxSlayer Bowl game at EverBank Field between the Georgia Bulldogs and the Penn State Nittany Lions on January 2, 2016 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FL - JANUARY 02: Jay Rome #87 of the Georgia Bulldogs is defended by Troy Apke #28 of the Penn State Nittany Lions while attempting to catch a pass during the TaxSlayer Bowl game at EverBank Field between the Georgia Bulldogs and the Penn State Nittany Lions on January 2, 2016 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Getty Images) /
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LANDOVER, MD – SEPTEMBER 24: Wide receiver Michael Crabtree #15 of the Oakland Raider tires to match a catch over strong safety Montae Nicholson #35 of the Washington Redskins in the third quarter at FedExField on September 4, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD – SEPTEMBER 24: Wide receiver Michael Crabtree #15 of the Oakland Raider tires to match a catch over strong safety Montae Nicholson #35 of the Washington Redskins in the third quarter at FedExField on September 4, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

That’s not to say that Apke will definitively be a Nicholson-type NFL player

Though there are a great deal of similarities between Apke and Nicholson, it is still worth noting that they have a fair deal of differences as well.

First and foremost, as mentioned before, Apke was only a one-year starter at Penn State. He performed relatively well in his lone season as a starter, but there’s not much growth demonstrated from season to season, as he played mostly as a backup or a sub-package player during the first three years of his career.

Conversely, Nicholson was a starter for two full years at Michigan State, and he also was able to start a few games during his freshman season. In each of his years as a full-time starter, Nicholson recorded at least 83 tackles and he grabbed a total of four picks over that two year span. That sample size dictated that Nicholson at least had the potential to be a productive box safety, as he was consistent across two seasons. Apke only has the one starting season, so that made him a bit more of a risk.

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    • Of course, it’s also a bit unfair to compare the two, even with the similar skill set, because Nicholson had such a strong rookie season. When fully healthy, Nicholson was in the process of becoming one of the better cover safeties in the NFL. He had the makings of a true playmaker and he didn’t look raw anymore. Apke is a bit rawer than Nicholson, so expecting a similar impact right away may not necessarily work out.

    Also, it’s worth noting that Nicholson has had some durability issues at the NFL level. He dealt with a concussion that kept him out for a good portion of the year. Additionally, Nicholson had a shoulder injury he dealt with after having post-draft surgery. This means that he could have possibly been better if he was fully healthy. Also, it means that Apke doesn’t come in with the same medical baggage as Nicholson.

    This is more to just temper expectations. Nicholson developed into a starter quickly, but Apke may take more time. The comparison between the two is a solid one, but the rawness associated with both players makes it hard to deem whether or not they are truly ready for big roles in the NFL.

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