Joel Nitchman Class: Sophomore Hometown: Kalamazoo, Mich. High School: Hackett Catholic Central Height / Weight: 6-3 / 295 Position: OL Birthdate: 09/29/1986 Experience: SQ

Scheduled for backup duty at center, behind John Masters . . . AS A FRESHMAN: Named Scout Team Offensive Player of the Week vs. Purdue . . . made his only appearance of the 2006 season vs. Eastern Michigan, grading out a perfect 100 percent . . . 2005 SEASON: Redshirted . . . HIGH SCHOOL AND PERSONAL DATA: Ranked among the nation's top offensive guards by Rivals.com (No. 52) . . . named to SuperPrep's, Prep Football Report's and PrepStar's All-Midwest Teams . . . listed among the Midwest's top 100 prospects by SuperPrep (No. 74) and Prep Football Report (No. 75) . . . rated Michigan's top offensive line prospect by Tom Lemming . . . ranked among the state's top seniors by the Detroit Free Press (No. 4), The Detroit News (No. 6), Rivals.com (No. 8) and Lansing State Journal (No. 10) . . . three-year starter at offensive tackle for Coach Jim Coady at Hackett Catholic Central High School in Kalamazoo, Mich. . . . two-time allleague and all-conference selection . . . graded out 91 percent in his blocking assignments in 2004 while helping the Fighting Irish (7-2) advance to the state playoffs for the first time in 15 years . . . also saw action at defensive tackle as a senior . . . recorded 73 tackles (41 solos, 32 assists) in 2004, including seven sacks . . . returned an interception 65 yards for a touchdown vs. Lake Michigan Catholic . . . Coach Coady calls Nitchman "the best long snapper I've seen in 32 years" . . . played forward/center on the Fighting Irish basketball team . . . runs 5.0 in the 40 and bench presses 315 pounds . . . son of Brady and Barb Nitchman . . . born Sept. 29, 1986 . . . participated in the 2006 SPYN Awards (Student-Athlete Lip Sync Contest) to benefit the Children's Miracle Network . . . majoring in criminal justice.