A.J. Nicholson (born June 25, 1983) is an American football linebacker who has played in the National Football League (NFL), the Arena Football League (AFL), and the Indoor Football League (IFL). He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the fifth round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football at Florida State. He has also been a member of the Orlando Predators, Green Bay Blizzard, and Florida Tuskers. Early years Raised in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Nicholson was an All-American linebacker at Mount Tabor High School. As a junior, he made 170 tackles and had 23 tackles for losses. In his senior year, he registered 147 tackles. Nicholson was named a Parade All-American and to the USA Today All-USA second-team. Regarded as a four-star recruit by Rivals.com, Nicholson was ranked as the No. 3 inside linebacker in his class. After official visits to Texas, Florida State, Miami (FL), Tennessee, and North Carolina—his father's alma mater—Nicholson chose to play for the Seminoles. College career In his true freshman season, Nicholson saw action as a member of special teams as well as a backup outside linebacker behind returning starter Kendyll Pope. He had 14 unassisted tackles and nine assisted tackles, ranking 20th on the team and first among all Seminoles freshmen. His season-high five tackles came on two occasions, against Clemson and North Carolina. As a sophomore, Nicholson played in all 13 games, including three starts (Duke, Wake Forest, and Notre Dame), and recorded 55 total tackles, three tackles for loss, two pass break-ups, four QB hurries, three recovered fumbles and a forced fumble. In his first career start against Duke, Nicholson recorded seven tackles, one tackle for loss and recovered two fumbles including one he returned for a touchdown. His season-best game occurred on his second career start against Wake Forest, as he tallied 12 tackles (nine solo). Following the graduation of Pope, Nicholson took over as starting weakside linebacker in his junior season. He led all Seminoles with 88 tackles on the year, and was third on the team in sacks with four. He also recorded a team-best two fumble recoveries. In the 29–7 win against Duke, Nicholson recorded a season-high 14 tackles and also had two tackles for loss. He registered 12 tackles, one for loss and an interception in the Seminoles victory in the Gator Bowl against West Virginia. During the off-season in February 2005, Nicholson was