Arkansas transfer OL Addison Nichols signs with SMU

Arkansas transfer offensive lineman Addison Nichols has signed with SMU, On3’s Pete Nakos has learned. He visited the Mustangs last week.

Nichols spent one season in Fayetteville, playing a key role on the Arkansas offensive line as the starting center. That came after two years at Tennessee, which included a redshirt season as a true freshman in 2022. He will have two years of eligibility remaining.

Nichols entered the transfer portal Dec. 11, and SMU was battling Florida State for his services. Ultimately, he chose the Mustangs, adding an important piece to the offensive line as they get ready for the College Football Playoff.

Arkansas offensive lineman Addison Nichols has signed with SMU, @On3sports has learned.

Former four-star and Tennessee transfer started 10 games at center in 2024. https://t.co/VxSGJEUisH pic.twitter.com/3DFW4nF42X

— Pete Nakos (@PeteNakos_) December 19, 2024

To keep up with the latest players on the move, check out On3’s Transfer Portal wire. 

The On3 Transfer Portal Instagram account and X account are excellent resources to stay up to date with the latest moves.

Nichols played high school football at Norcross (Ga.) Greater Atlanta Christian School, where he was a four-star prospect. He was the No. 166 overall recruit in the 2022 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

SMU has now brought in four transfer commitments as it gets ready for the College Football Playoff. The Mustangs put together an impressive first season in the ACC, making it to the conference championship before falling to Clemson. Rhett Lashlee’s group still did enough to get into the field, though, and will take on Penn State in the opening round.

But Lashlee pointed out the need for change to the transfer timeline and calendar. Specifically, he noted the situation Penn State is in with quarterback Beau Pribula, who announced his plans to transfer and leave the Nittany Lions even though they’re still in contention for the title. Lashlee argued the timeline isn’t fair to players who might be looking elsewhere because they have to leave their teams to find the best opportunities.

“It needs to be totally rebooted. And I’m not complaining. Look, we’re adults, and we’re football coaches, it’s our job to fix problems and handle tough situations. I’ve already told people that gripe and say coaches are complaining, we’ll work 24 hours in a day. … We can handle it,” Lashlee said Wednesday afternoon on The Pat McAfee Show.

“What’s not fair is like the Penn State backup quarterback (Pribula) – who we’re playing – had to go into the portal and said he’s not going to play with his team, and said it was the hardest decision he’s ever had to make. Because he had to balance ‘Do I go in the portal and not pass up an opportunity to find a good future home for me to be the starter? Or do I play with my team and finish in the Playoffs,’ something (he) wanted to do, and he said he couldn’t do both. That’s what’s not right about this situation. He shouldn’t have to make that kind of decision.”