A former wide receiver turned walk-on safety who worked his way from McPherson College to an NFL practice squad.
Ben Nikkel took an unconventional path to professional football, starting as a wide receiver at NAIA McPherson College before converting to defensive back as a walk-on at Iowa State. Now with the Indianapolis Colts on a reserve/future contract, the Kansas native is still fighting for his first real NFL opportunity.
Path to the league
Nikkel starred as a wide receiver at McPherson College from 2018-2020, catching 107 passes for 1,570 yards and 14 touchdowns and earning team captain honors. He transferred to Iowa State as a walk-on defensive back, redshirted in 2021, earned a scholarship, and was named team captain in 2023 after playing safety. He went undrafted in 2024.
Career highlights
In his lone season of significant Iowa State action, Nikkel appeared in 12 games with two starts and recorded 40 tackles. The Washington Commanders signed him to their practice squad in October 2024 and later gave him a futures contract, though he was released the following August.
2025 season recap
After his release from Washington, Nikkel signed with the Indianapolis Colts' practice squad in late August 2025. He spent the year working to prove himself on the practice squad and earned a reserve/future contract from the Colts in January 2026.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Ben Nikkel
- ESPN: Ben Nikkel
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Safety
- Group
- defense
- College
- Iowa State
- Hometown
- Mcpherson, KS, USA
- Age
- 25
- Status
- active
