[Tuck4Bama]

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The 2007 Southeastern Conference football opener between the University of Alabama and Vanderbilt University will be a reunion for Crimson Tide tight end Nick Walker and Commodores quarterback Chris Nickson.

Walker and Nickson are second cousins. They were also teammates at Pike County High School in Brundidge, Ala., that captured the 2003 Class 3A state championship as prep seniors. Walker caught 67 passes for 1,028 yards and 15 touchdowns en route to All-State honors. Nickson accounted for a state-record 65 touchdowns and was named “Mr. Football” by the Alabama Sports Writer’s Association.

“He is my second cousin,” Walker said of Vandy quarterback Chris Nickson. “Every time we go home we are around each other because of family events. It’s going to be real big to play against him again. I hope we come out on top. That’s all I want is to come out on top. No matter what happens, no matter how good or bad I do, I just want to win.”

Walker said the two have not communicated much since fall camp, but when they do chat, it’s rarely about football.

“I haven’t really talked to him much this year,” Walker said. “We haven’t talked that much. When we talk we just talk about life or something like that. What we have been up to. Our conversations really don’t go to football that much. We just have different stuff to talk about, until this part of the season. Then we talk jokes back and forth. I haven’t gotten a chance to talk to him yet but I’m pretty sure that phone call will come soon.”

FAMILY REUNION: Alabama’s Nick Walker and Vanderbilt’s Chris Nickson Meet in SEC Opener - RollTide.com—The Official Web site ...

[Stoney]

Nick is on the winning side.