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"I really wouldn't say I'm a veteran. I'm going into my second year — not even two years yet. I would say I have the most experience as far as playing in the game, but I'm getting coached like those guys are getting coached — like the younger guys. NICHOLSON improvement. Minnifield made a huge leap in pro- duction from his second-year to third-year seasons, playing and learning alongside All-American and future NFL cornerback Ras-I Dowling. Nicholson has been thrust in the spotlight earlier, but still finds it odd to think of himself as the savvy veteran among a secondary that features 16 underclassmen and no fourth-years. "I really wouldn't say I'm a veteran," the 5-11, 165-pound sophomore told The Daily Progress. "I'm going into my second year — not even two years yet. I would say I have the most experience as far as playing in the game, but I'm getting coached like those guys are getting coached — like the younger guys. "But I do have experience, so if they do have any questions about that, I can answer them." Some teammates have a different take. "He's a vet, now — absolutely," experienced third-year defensive end Jake Snyder said. "You start 13 games and you're instantly, basically a vet- eran. He came in; he never missed a beat. He's the most experienced guy in the secondary and there's no doubt he'll perform this year." He began the 2013 campaign looking like a sea- soned veteran, making six tackles and breaking up a pass in the Cavaliers' season opener versus Rich- mond. And perhaps his advice to his less-proven teammates is paying off. Fellow second-year Drequan Hoskey tied Nich- olson and two others for the team lead in tackles in the blowout win over the Spiders, and true first-year Marcus Canady had a solid debut, earning play- ing time at the cornerback spot and making three tackles. "They are looking great," Nicholson said. "They've come along pretty fast. Every day in meet- ings, they are asking questions, and I've still got a lot of learning to do myself, but being that I have experience, and learning from Chase, I'm able to answer those questions and tell them the mistakes I've made, so they won't make the same ones." There are bound to be some miscues, but at least the Cavs will have one defensive back that has been there. ◆ CAVALIER CORNER ◆ OCTOBER 2012 ◆ 36