WR Jaden Nickens commits to Kansas to play both football and basketball

Chatsworth (Calif.) Sierra Canyon four-star wide receiver Jaden Nickens has committed to Kansas. The 6-foot-2, 170-pound playmaker moved from Oklahoma to California over the summer and he chose the Jayhawks over Cal, Georgia, Oklahoma State and Texas A&M.

“It just all came together,” Nickens told On3. “The basketball staff started recruiting me first, then I started talking to the football staff a couple of weeks later. They got on the same page, I got the offer on Sept. 28 and I made my decision.

“Kansas is a great basketball school, they are building a top football program and I get to play both sports for a great school that have great coaches. I love how those coaches worked together to recruit me, how they both want me to play both sports and it is a great fit for me.”

Nickens is committing to Kansas without ever seeing the campus in Lawrence. He knows other recruits that are going there, he has had zoom calls with the coaching staffs and he has done his research, but he is excited to see Kansas for the first time on his official visit next weekend.

“I know I am going to a great place. I have looked into Kansas and I have seen different things about it, but I know it is a great place because of the coaches. The people are great. When both staffs started recruiting me, they wouldn’t even offer me until they spoke with my parents and got to know them. That showed me a lot.

“Now I want to get on the visit, see the campus and spend time with the coaches. How they recruited me meant a lot to me. It showed me a lot about how much they care and want me.”

Nickens knows what he is going into at Kansas

Nickens has won three state titles in basketball. He is a playmaker on the football field. He is excited to both on the next level.

“I love both sports,” Nickens said. “On the basketball side, coach Bill Self is a great coach and Kansas is one of the best in the country. Coach Lance Leipold is building something. They are losing receivers, so I have a chance to come in and play.

“Both staffs told me they wouldn’t recruit me if they didn’t think I could play. They want me to come in, adjust and adapt to college and be the face of both programs. The coaches have high hopes for me.”

Nickens is the No. 55 wide receiver in the country and he will sign in December, then enroll next spring.