Lew Nichols III selected 235th overall by The Green Bay Packers
With the No. 235 overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft, The Green Bay Packers selected Central Michigan running back Lew Nichols III. Nichols is the first CMU running back to be drafted since Donnie Riley in 1990.
After leading the nation in rushing yards in 2021, Nichols didn't have the season everyone expected in 2022 as he battled a leg injury for the majority of the season. Nichols appeared in nine games this season and had 616 rushing yards and six touchdowns as the Chippewas went 4-8.
The 2021 Mid-American Conference Offensive Player of the Year led the FBS in rushing yards during his sophomore year with 1,848 and carries with 341. His 142.2 yards per game also led the FBS and he ranked ninth nationally in rushing touchdowns with 16. Nichols was named the team's Herb Deromedi Most Valuable Player and earned First Team All-MAC honors.
In 2020, he was MAC Freshman Player of the Year, rushing for a team-high of 508 yards and four touchdowns on 78 attempts for a 6.5-yard average. Nichols had 10 receptions for 109 yards and one touchdown ranking him second on the team with 103.8 all-purpose yards per game.
The Detroit native is ranked second all-time in season rushing yards with 1,858 behind Brain Pruitt (1,890, 1994). He is also tied at fourth in rushing touchdowns with 16 and ranks second in rushing attempts with 341 behind Billy Smith (374, 1991). He's tied for sixth in points scored in a season with 108 and tied at fourth in touchdowns scored in a season with 18.
