Lew Nichols is a Featured Back for Central Michigan. Lew's 2021 season ranks in the 0th percentile nationally by opponent-adjusted EPA per play across 335 plays — a developing rate for the RB.
The centerpiece of the run game — high carry volume, used in early downs and goal-line, true workhorse role.
Meaningful starter. Local collective + position-group deals.
Tier is a model estimate based on position, school brand, performance rank, and usage — not a reported deal. NIL deals are private. For a real market valuation, see On3's NIL profile, which factors in social following and actual deal tracking.
Players from 2014–2024 matched on EPA efficiency, play volume, and adjusted value tier — not just one metric.
| Player | Team | Yr | Plays | WEPA/play | Line val | Total EPA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saquon Barkley | Penn State | 2016 | 288 | 0.340 | 3.9 | 97.9 |
| Donnel Pumphrey | San Diego State | 2016 | 344 | 0.320 | 4.2 | 110.1 |
| Dalvin Cook | Florida State | 2016 | 292 | 0.340 | 4.3 | 99.3 |
| Eno Benjamin | Arizona State | 2018 | 316 | 0.330 | 4.6 | 104.3 |
| Breece Hall | Iowa State | 2020 | 301 | 0.340 | 4.5 | 102.3 |
Comps are statistical — efficiency, volume, and value tier all factor in. Style and conference context differ.
| Wk | Opponent | Result | Opp SP+ | Car | Rush Yds | Avg | Rush TD | Rec | Rec Yds | Rec TD | EPA/play |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | @Missouri | L24-34 | 3.1 | 19 | 135 | 7.1 | 1 | 4 | 40 | 0 | 0.48 |
| 2 | vsRobert Morris | W45-0 | — | 17 | 79 | 4.6 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2.79 |
| 3 | @LSU | L21-49 | 4.1 | 12 |
Usage = share of team plays (CFBD has no true snap counts).
Car 30 · Rush Yds 138 · Avg 4.6 · Rush TD 1
| 18 |
| 1.5 |
| 0 |
| 5 |
| 19 |
| 0 |
| -0.27 |
| 4 | vsFlorida International | W31-27 | -21.6 | 25 | 152 | 6.1 | 0 | 4 | 43 | 1 | 0.29 |
| 5 | @Miami (OH) | L17-28 | 1.5 | 12 | 21 | 1.8 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | -0.35 |
| 6 | @Ohio | W30-27 | -11.6 | 30 | 186 | 6.2 | 1 | 3 | 24 | 0 | 0.24 |
| 7 | vsToledo | W26-23 | 6.9 | 29 | 136 | 4.7 | 0 | 7 | 39 | 1 | 0.26 |
| 8 | vsNorthern Illinois | L38-39 | -7.1 | 22 | 192 | 8.7 | 2 | 6 | 42 | 0 | 0.51 |
| 10 | @Western Michigan | W42-30 | 0.6 | 26 | 163 | 6.3 | 2 | — | — | — | 0.36 |
| 11 | vsKent State | W54-30 | -6.4 | 43 | 215 | 5.0 | 4 | 4 | 33 | 0 | 0.34 |
| 12 | @Ball State | W37-17 | -11.2 | 32 | 219 | 6.8 | 3 | 1 | 17 | 0 | — |
| 13 | vsEastern Michigan | W31-10 | -7.8 | 44 | 194 | 4.4 | 1 | 2 | 39 | 0 | 0.00 |
| 1 | vsWashington State | W24-21 | 6.7 | 30 | 138 | 4.6 | 1 | 2 | 38 | 0 | 0.07 |