Montae Nicholson Bio
Montae Nicholson is an American professional football safety who currently plays for the DC Defenders of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football at Michigan State and was selected by the Washington Redskins in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL draft. Listed at 6 feet 2 inches and 212 pounds, Nicholson has built a career as a versatile defensive back capable of contributing in both base defenses and nickel packages.
Early Life and Background
Montae Nicholson was born on December 4, 1995, in Columbus, Ohio, and grew up in the Pittsburgh area of Pennsylvania. He attended Gateway High School in Monroeville, Pennsylvania, where he was a multi-sport standout in football, basketball, and track and field. During his senior year, he won PIAA gold medals in the 110-meter hurdles and the 400-meter relay, while also claiming the state indoor title in the 60-meter hurdles.
His track and field achievements earned him recognition as the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Male Athlete of the Year. Regarded as a four-star recruit by Rivals.com, Nicholson was ranked as the No. 13 safety prospect in the class of 2014. He chose to continue his football career at Michigan State, picking the Spartans over scholarship offers from Florida State, Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State, Pittsburgh, and Virginia Tech.
Path to American Football
Nicholson’s track background gave him rare speed and agility for the safety position, traits that translated quickly to the football field during his time at Gateway High School. His ranking among the nation’s top safety recruits helped him secure a spot in Michigan State’s defensive backfield, where he developed into a three-year letterman for the Spartans. The combination of athleticism and football IQ shaped his path toward a professional career in the secondary.
Montae Nicholson Career
College Career at Michigan State (2014–2016)
Nicholson played safety for Michigan State from 2014 through 2016, appearing in 38 games with 23 starts during his three seasons. He recorded 200 tackles, four interceptions, four pass deflections, three fumble recoveries, and one forced fumble as a Spartan. As a junior in 2016, he started 10 of 11 games and earned honorable mention All-Big Ten honors at safety, cementing his status as an NFL prospect heading into the draft.
Washington Redskins Era (2017–2019)
The Washington Redskins selected Nicholson in the fourth round, 123rd overall, of the 2017 NFL draft. On May 11, 2017, he signed a four-year, $3 million contract and entered training camp competing for a backup safety role. When starter Su’a Cravens announced his retirement shortly before the season opener, head coach Jay Gruden named Nicholson the backup strong safety behind Deshazor Everett.
Nicholson made his professional debut in the Redskins’ 30–17 season-opening loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, then earned his first career start in Week 2 against the Los Angeles Rams, recording two solo tackles in a 27–20 victory. Defensive coordinator Greg Manusky deployed Nicholson in nickel packages while using Everett in base formations. In Week 3 against the Oakland Raiders, he recorded his first career interception off a pass from Derek Carr during a 27–10 win.
Concussions cut into his rookie season, and Nicholson was placed on injured reserve on December 19, 2017, finishing with 24 combined tackles, two pass deflections, and one interception in eight games and six starts. He entered 2018 as the Redskins’ starting free safety alongside D. J. Swearinger, started the first seven games, and then lost the starting role after the team acquired Ha-Ha Clinton-Dix via trade. He was placed on the reserve/non-football injury list on December 19, 2018, following an off-field incident. In 2019, he intercepted Dak Prescott and Tom Brady, finished with 62 tackles, four passes defensed, and two interceptions through 13 starts, and was placed on injured reserve on December 27, 2019. The Redskins waived him on March 23, 2020, with a failed physical designation.
DC Defenders Era (2023–Present)
Nicholson signed with the DC Defenders of the XFL on March 8, 2023, returning to professional football after time away from the game. He was placed on the team’s reserve list on April 18 and later activated on May 16, working his way back into the defensive rotation. He re-signed with the Defenders on January 30, 2024, and again on October 4, 2024, signaling the organization’s belief in his role within the secondary.
In 2025, Nicholson was placed on injured reserve on April 4 and activated on May 12, then returned to injured reserve on May 14 as he worked through physical setbacks. His continued presence on the roster reflects his value as a veteran safety and his familiarity with the Defenders’ defensive scheme.
Notable Events and Milestones
Nicholson’s first career interception, a pick off Derek Carr in 2017, stands out as a defining early moment, while his two interceptions against the Dallas Cowboys and New England Patriots in 2019 highlighted his ball-hawking ability. Across his NFL career with Washington, he tallied 127 total tackles, 7 pass deflections, 3 interceptions, and 2 fumble recoveries, and he was part of the DC Defenders’ 2025 UFL championship run.
Montae Nicholson Family
Personal Life
On December 18, 2018, Nicholson was arrested and charged with public swearing, intoxication, and misdemeanor assault in Ashburn, Virginia; those charges were dropped in May 2019. In November 2019, the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office investigated Nicholson in connection with the death of 21-year-old Julia Crabbe, whose cause of death was linked to a drug overdose, though Nicholson was not officially charged.
2025 Season Performance
Nicholson’s 2025 campaign with the DC Defenders has been shaped by injury management. He began the year on the active roster, was placed on injured reserve on April 4, and returned to the active list on May 12. A subsequent placement on injured reserve on May 14 has limited his on-field availability through the early part of the UFL season, with the team leaning on depth in the secondary during his absences.
When healthy, Nicholson continues to provide veteran leadership and playmaking ability in the defensive backfield, drawing on his NFL experience. His role with the Defenders remains tied to the health of the secondary and the team’s push for another championship following its 2025 UFL title.