Nick Flegler trades in soccer pitch for football field at DeWitt
DEWITT, Mich. (BVM) – Nick Flegler long thought soccer would be the sport he plays in college. However, after taking up football at DeWitt High School, everything changed.
Growing up, most of Flegler’s life revolved around soccer. He dabbled into some flag football and baseball as well, but playing soccer with several club teams – most recently Midwest United – as well as with an Olympic development program in which he got to compete internationally, it seemed soccer would be Flegler’s future.
“Honestly, I believed I was going to play college soccer when I was little,” Flegler said.
However, as Flegler entered high school, he was approached by a couple of friends to try out football. Already with a strong knowledge of the sport, the DeWitt freshman decided to give it a try.
“I always watched Sunday Night Football with my dad and we always had a bond over talking about the sport,” Flegler said. “But what really pushed me to go start playing were my friends at school, Tyler Holtz and Tommy McIntosh … They really got me interested in it.”
Flegler joined forces with Holtz – DeWitt’s quarterback and a Brown University commit – along with McIntosh – a star receiver for the Panthers and a Wisconsin signee – forming a strong core for the team over the last couple of years.
Although Flegler is a very coachable player who picks things up quickly, his beginnings in his new sport were not always easy. Still, he grew and developed throughout his freshman year thanks to the strong foundation DeWitt has in place.
“We have an amazing program here at DeWitt and I’m a perfect example that it’s never too late,” Flegler noted. “Our coaches do an amazing job.”
By his sophomore year, Flegler finally had a moment in his first game on the Panthers’ junior varsity squad where he realized football might just be the sport for him.
“I busted a touchdown for like 30 or 40 yards, and I was like, ‘Wow, I was not expecting that,’” Flegler added.
After two games on JV, Flegler was moved up to varsity, getting acclimated to the highest level of high school football. Having that year to continue to learn the game was pivotal for what became a special 2020 season for DeWitt.
“Throwing myself into the deep end taught me how to swim quicker,” Flegler said.
By his junior year, Flegler became a key member of the Panthers’ team as a wide receiver, defensive back and kicker. Despite what was a unique season in Michigan due to the stops and starts caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, DeWitt excelled through it all. They rolled through the regular season and then the playoffs, going into the MHSAA Division 3 state championship at a perfect 11-0.
“Throughout that season, collectively as a group, we had great leadership,” Flegler said. “We had a collective mindset of wanting to win that state championship and it had been a dream for most of the players on the team since we first put on the pads. Throughout that season, it was just grind, grind, grind because of how long it was. I really believe that our mental strength was what pushed us through.”
At state, DeWitt took on defending champion River Rouge. Despite finishing runner-up five times, the Panthers claimed their first title under now 23-year head coach Rob Zimmerman with a 40-30 victory.
Flegler was a key contributor in the win on both sides, but the highlight of the game was a 35-yard touchdown catch late in the second half for the receiver.
“We knew going into it we had done everything we could to prepare and all we had to do was go out and show what we had,” Flegler said. “Our coaches put together an amazing game plan, we executed it and we got the result we had hoped for.”
Winning state only motivated Flegler. Throughout the summer and into the season, he continued to put in work, whether it was impressive lifts or a 40-inch vertical jump. It has paid off already for the 18-year-old, and will continue to in the near future.
@FleglerNick 295LBS clean today! 315 getting close! pic.twitter.com/Eru9CODPx6
— Aaron Gumpert (@GumpertAaron) May 6, 2021
@FleglerNick jumping 40inches pic.twitter.com/FXuvLVFqNS
— Aaron Gumpert (@GumpertAaron) December 8, 2021
“Lifting and exercise in general has always been a great interest of mine,” Flegler mentioned. “I’ve just been able to build up the strength and stability and all the attributes that you’re looking for in your body to be able to perform at the highest level you can.”
Of course, his strength and conditioning habits changed from soccer to football, but it has allowed Flegler to perform better on the field. That showed throughout his senior season, another strong one for DeWitt.
The Panthers again made it to the state final game, a contest in which Flegler would actually lead DeWitt in rushing yards. But this time, DeWitt fell short to an upstart Detroit King squad, 25-21. Still, it capped a tremendous run over the past few years thanks to a terrific 2022 class that included Flegler.
“I’m extremely proud of all the work that everyone on the team in our grade and the grades below us put in,” Flegler said. “It was truly an honor to be one of those leaders of the DeWitt football team and to really show those younger guys the ropes.
“While it was unfortunate that we didn’t come out of that game with a win, I was just as happy with our performance as I was the year before. I knew everyone was 110% into it and they didn’t leave anything in themselves that they didn’t put out on the field.”
As Flegler’s passion for football has continued to grow over the past few years, so has his desire to continue playing the sport. After winning state last year, the 18-year-old was prepared to pursue a college football career.
Sending out film and going to more camps, Flegler began to start receiving college interest from coaches last spring. In April, he received an offer from the United States Air Force Academy, something he couldn’t pass up.
100% Committed #Flyhigh pic.twitter.com/MRCFPXZcza
— Nick Flegler (@FleglerNick) July 31, 2021
“Once I went out there for a visit, it officially eased my mind in the process of recruiting and it showed me that’s where I want to be for the next four or five years,” Flegler said. “I received an overall positive vibe once I was actually on campus.”
Part of Flegler’s decision also came down to continuing his family’s history of serving in the military. Both of Flegler’s grandfathers were in the Army, his father was a Marine and his uncle was in the Air Force. The opportunity to follow in their footsteps is something Flegler truly relishes.
“As a family, we’re very patriotic and we love this country,” Flegler said. “Looking up to my dad and my uncles and grandparents, it drove me to want to walk in their footsteps a little bit and do my part in serving the country … Carrying on the tradition of being in the military is definitely an honor for me.”
Flegler’s opportunity to add to his family legacy and serve while also continuing to build on his recently found football talent has created the best of both worlds for the future Air Force member. Whether on the field or off, he plans to continue making an impact on whatever path life leads him to next.
“It’s super exciting,” Flegler said. “My goal as an athlete has always been to perform at the Division I level. Tying that in with the military aspect is really a two for one. I’m extremely excited to go and be in a system where I can really focus on my academics and sports as a whole. As I progress, I just hope to get on that field and be able to perform at the DI level.”
