University of Delaware Athletics
Photo by: Mark Campbell
Bilal Nichols Makes Major Gift to Delaware Athletics
10/11/2024 2:00:00 PM | Football
NEWARK, Del. – University of Delaware has always been home for Bilal Nichols. Even as he plays for the Arizona Cardinals out on the West Coast, the Newark native always has a part of him back in the 302. While his on-field performance has already established him as a Blue Hen legend, Nichols continues to cement his legacy as he has made a major gift to the future of UD Athletics to support an upcoming facilities project, of which details will be announced at a later date.
"It means a lot to be able to contribute and give back to Delaware and be able to give to the school that gave me a chance, allowed me to get to this point in my life, allowed me to be blessed, and get to this point of where I am able to play professional football," Nichols said. "It means a lot to give the future generations a chance and an opportunity to continue to strive and be better and have more resources than I did. Ultimately, at the end of the day, I am proud to be able to do it for the University that believed in me when nobody else did."
Nichols joins a strong list of former Delaware football student-athletes to make a major gift to Delaware Athletics. The list includes current and former NFL players and coaches Nasir Adderley, Scott Brunner, Joe Flacco, Rich Gannon and Matt Nagy.
"We are incredibly grateful to Bilal, his wife Alaysia, and their daughter Ahniya for making this gift to his alma mater," Director of Athletics, Community, and Campus Recreation Chrissi Rawak said. "He is a great ambassador of the University and our football program. We are so proUD of all he has accomplished on and off the field and are incredibly excited to watch him continue to represent the 302 and the University of Delaware in the NFL and beyond!"
Nichols became the 31st player in Delaware history to hear his name called in the NFL Draft when the Chicago Bears and then-head coach Matt Nagy selected Nichols in the fifth round of the 2018 draft. He appeared in 60 games for the Bears over four seasons where he totaled 146 tackles and 11.0 sacks. Nichols spent the 2022-23 seasons in Las Vegas, where he started all 34 games for the Raiders and registered 92 tackles and 3.0 sacks. His biggest moment for the Silver & Black came when he scored on a fumble return against the Kansas City Chiefs in 2023.
"Bilal is a true example of what it means to be a Blue Hen," Head Football Coach Ryan Carty said. "What he did on the field while wearing the Blue & Gold and what he continues to do now, both on the field in the NFL and in the community, is a testament to who he is as a person and what we strive for with all our student-athletes. We are extremely grateful for his amazing generosity."
This past offseason, Nichols signed a three-year contract with the Arizona Cardinals. He has nine tackles through the team's first five contests. Arizona's matchup against Green Bay on October 13 will be his 100th-career game in the NFL.
A graduate of nearby Hodgson Vo-Tech, Nichols was a three-time All-CAA selection for the Blue Hens. As a team captain his senior year in 2017, he earned Third Team All-American honors and invitations to the East-West Shrine Game and Reese's Senior Bowl after finishing with 56 tackles, 6.5 TFLs and 5.5 sacks. He broke up nine passes from his defensive tackle position and added an interception and a fumble recovery.
Over his four seasons in the Blue & Gold, Nichols played in 44 career games racking up 104 tackles, 9.5 sacks and 17.5 tackles for a loss. He forced four fumbles, intercepted two passes and had 15 pass breakups.
Nichols graduated from UD in 2018 with a degree in sociology from the College of Arts and Sciences.
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"It means a lot to be able to contribute and give back to Delaware and be able to give to the school that gave me a chance, allowed me to get to this point in my life, allowed me to be blessed, and get to this point of where I am able to play professional football," Nichols said. "It means a lot to give the future generations a chance and an opportunity to continue to strive and be better and have more resources than I did. Ultimately, at the end of the day, I am proud to be able to do it for the University that believed in me when nobody else did."
Nichols joins a strong list of former Delaware football student-athletes to make a major gift to Delaware Athletics. The list includes current and former NFL players and coaches Nasir Adderley, Scott Brunner, Joe Flacco, Rich Gannon and Matt Nagy.
"We are incredibly grateful to Bilal, his wife Alaysia, and their daughter Ahniya for making this gift to his alma mater," Director of Athletics, Community, and Campus Recreation Chrissi Rawak said. "He is a great ambassador of the University and our football program. We are so proUD of all he has accomplished on and off the field and are incredibly excited to watch him continue to represent the 302 and the University of Delaware in the NFL and beyond!"
Nichols became the 31st player in Delaware history to hear his name called in the NFL Draft when the Chicago Bears and then-head coach Matt Nagy selected Nichols in the fifth round of the 2018 draft. He appeared in 60 games for the Bears over four seasons where he totaled 146 tackles and 11.0 sacks. Nichols spent the 2022-23 seasons in Las Vegas, where he started all 34 games for the Raiders and registered 92 tackles and 3.0 sacks. His biggest moment for the Silver & Black came when he scored on a fumble return against the Kansas City Chiefs in 2023.
"Bilal is a true example of what it means to be a Blue Hen," Head Football Coach Ryan Carty said. "What he did on the field while wearing the Blue & Gold and what he continues to do now, both on the field in the NFL and in the community, is a testament to who he is as a person and what we strive for with all our student-athletes. We are extremely grateful for his amazing generosity."
This past offseason, Nichols signed a three-year contract with the Arizona Cardinals. He has nine tackles through the team's first five contests. Arizona's matchup against Green Bay on October 13 will be his 100th-career game in the NFL.
A graduate of nearby Hodgson Vo-Tech, Nichols was a three-time All-CAA selection for the Blue Hens. As a team captain his senior year in 2017, he earned Third Team All-American honors and invitations to the East-West Shrine Game and Reese's Senior Bowl after finishing with 56 tackles, 6.5 TFLs and 5.5 sacks. He broke up nine passes from his defensive tackle position and added an interception and a fumble recovery.
Over his four seasons in the Blue & Gold, Nichols played in 44 career games racking up 104 tackles, 9.5 sacks and 17.5 tackles for a loss. He forced four fumbles, intercepted two passes and had 15 pass breakups.
Nichols graduated from UD in 2018 with a degree in sociology from the College of Arts and Sciences.
FOLLOW ON SOCIAL
For the latest on Delaware football, follow the Blue Hens on X, Instagram, and like on Facebook.
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