Rivals300 edge flips Micah Nickerson commitment to Mizzou from Mississippi State
Following his official visit to Missouri, Micah Nickerson had a change of plans.
The Mississippi State commit flipped his pledge to the Tigers on Sunday after being on campus for the first time as a recruit Sept. 20. The Magnolia (Miss.) South Pike edge grew up in Mississippi, but he spent his freshman year of high school at Columbia (Mo.) Hickman while living with his father.
Nickerson’s explosiveness and long wingspan caught the eye of edges coach Brian Early, who had yet to land a commitment in the 2026 class. During his junior season, Nickerson accounted for 34 total tackles and 11 sacks in 11 games. He also reeled in five passes for 67 yards and one touchdown.
Nickerson debuted at No. 151 in the Rivals300 earlier this month. The four-star’s not nationally ranked by any either ESPN or 247Sports.
“Nickerson is one of the most gifted athletes along the defensive front in the 2026 recruiting cycle,” Rivals national scout Cody Bellaire wrote. “He’s shined on early senior film resulting in a rankings bump in our latest Rivals update.”
Nickerson marked the second edge rusher commitment for Missouri. The Tigers previously held the pledge of defensive lineman Anthony Kennedy Jr., who decommitted following the departure of Al Davis in May.
The program hosted Asharri Charles and Ronelle Johnson for official visits this summer, but the two committed to Miami and Indiana, respectively. The Tigers also hosted junior college edge DeMarcus Johnson, who pledge to the program Thursday. Early swung at a few younger edge rushers in the spring, hosting transfers and junior college full-qualifier Joshua Shanklin, who signed with Arizona State.