ASU commit Tony Nicholson plays multiple positions

In town on an unofficial visit, Tony Nicholson committed to Arizona State over the weekend.

Nicholson, a senior-to-be at South Grand Prairie High School in Grand Prairie, Texas, is just a shade over 5 feet 10. He weighs 165 pounds. His position isn't as clear. Last year, his first on varsity, Nicholson played quarterback in a spread offense. This season, his coach said he will play slot receiver, quarterback, cornerback and return kicks.

"He won't sit down very often," Brent Whitson said.

Already, Nicholson has been offered scholarships as a receiver, cornerback and athlete. ASU recruited him as a receiver, and Whitson can understand why. He describes Nicholson as a playmaker.

"The best thing about him at quarterback is when everything kind of goes to hell,'' Whitson said. "When it all breaks down he gets a chance to create, gets a chance to make plays out of busted plays. He's a very good runner. He threw the ball well -- he threw for like 800 yards -- but his gift is when the ball is in his hands and he gets a chance to make guys miss and get down field. He just has tremendous explosion."

According to recruiting service Rivals, Nicholson, a three-star prospect, has scholarship offers from 11 schools, including Baylor, Duke, Colorado State, Mississippi, North Carolina and Washington State.

Something that didn't hurt the Sun Devils: Whitson played with ASU coach Todd Graham and defensive coordinator Keith Patterson in college at East Central University.

"A hundred and 15 years ago," Whitson said.

He also knows defensive-line coach Jackie Shipp, who used to coach at Oklahoma.

"My son played at OU, so I've known Jackie forever," Whitson said.

Nicholson is the fifth player to commit to ASU's 2015 class, the third from Texas.

The list:

Raymond Epps, TE, 6-5/235, Arizona Western CC

Morie Evans, RB, 5-11/205, Huntsville, Texas

Tony Nicholson, ATH, 5-10/165, Grand Prairie, Texas

Bryce Perkins, QB, 6-3/205, Chandler HS

Nick Ralston, ATH, 6-1/215, Argyle, Texas

National signing day for football is the first Wednesday in February.