Nicholas Deloach Jr. will look to make impact at Missouri
CAHOKIA, III. (BVM) – Being a successful athlete in high school is no easy task, especially if you play multiple sports which is what Nicholas Deloach Jr. does. Deloach, who is a three-star wide receiver and defensive back committed to Missouri, also competes in track and field and wrestling for Cahokia High School. Through hard work and determination, Deloach earned his offers which led him to commit to the Tigers back in June.
Deloach started playing football at the age of 10 when his uncle, Darren Donald – currently the offensive coordinator for Cahokia – convinced him to try out the sport.
“I started playing football when I was 10 years old,” Deloach said. “I started playing because my uncle is a football coach and he convinced me to play.”
When the offers first started rolling in from smaller schools like McKendree and Northern Iowa, Deloach became more optimistic about the idea of playing a sport at the Division I level, which caused him to work harder and set an example.
“Once I started getting offers I saw that it was possible,” Deloach said, “I originally thought I had to go to a small school, but once they started coming in and giving me hope, I wanted to work harder so that everybody else can do what I’m doing.”
For Deloach, it was all about where the offers took him when it came to making a decision. Deloach would have been interested in playing either one of the three sports, but the most appealing offer came for football from Missouri.
COMMITTED @CoachDrinkwitz @donald9_donald @CoachDocGooden @coachalpogue @MizzouFootball pic.twitter.com/5FhHMXcqV5
— Nicholas DeLoach Jr. (@NicholasDeLoac5) June 26, 2022
“I was going to have to make the decision,” Deloach said. “I was cool playing any one of the sports, but I had the best offer in football so I just took it.”
When it came down to picking a college, Missouri filled all the blanks for Deloach. When Deloach visited Missouri, he felt right at home as he learned about the academic part of the university, and he liked the fact that it’s not too far from home.
“I went on an official visit and everything was nice,” Deloach said. “They talked about the academic parts and my parents liked it too and that it was only two hours away from home.”
Deloach is a good example of somebody that works hard on and off the field as he currently holds a 4.5 GPA. With the support of family and friends, the rising senior has been able to record multiple accomplishments.
“It’s hard, but it’s easy when you have everybody helping and supporting you,” Deloach said. “My mom and dad stay on me every step of the way so I have no choice but to work hard.”
Some of Deloach’s accomplishments include winning the Class 2A state title in track and field for triple jump and placing second place in sectionals for wrestling, earning him a trip to the state championships.
State champion in triple jump🥇Runner up in long jump🥈Third in high jump🥉 pic.twitter.com/j4rKkwO9Vu
— Nicholas DeLoach Jr. (@NicholasDeLoac5) May 28, 2022
The Cahokia native also recorded 23 catches for 258 yards and two touchdowns on the offensive side of the ball, and 15 tackles and an interception on defense in his junior football campaign.
As Deloach enters his senior season, he will look to bring Cahokia football a state championship after going 5-5 just a season ago. The Mizzou commit also hopes to stick with the same plan that’s always worked for him.
“I want to finally bring a state championship to my school and keep doing what I have been doing,” Deloach said.
Deloach wants his accomplishments and results to resonate with other athletes. Instead of telling his teammates what they should do, Deloach would rather lead by example and show them what they have to do to be successful.
“I’m not very vocal so it’s important to me to lead by example,” Deloach said.
The Cahokia native wants to go as far as he can for football but wants to make sure that he has a backup plan for his future if the NFL does not work out.
“Education is very important to me,” Deloach said. “If I don’t go to the NFL, then I wanna have a good job with the major that I get from there.”
As far as football goes, Deloach wants Tiger fans to know that he is all in for the program and that he is determined to do great things in Columbia.
“I want Missouri fans to know that I’m hardworking, determined and I’m going to take this team far,” he concluded.
