Cooper Nicholson is an American college baseball player who has quickly started to become one of the best power hitters in college baseball. Nicholson was a starting third baseman while playing at the University of North Carolina Tar Heels and was in the spotlight for the rest of the nation when the team climbed its way to the College World Series finals in 2026. While a dynamic and good right-hander, he was one of the main players on the Tar Heel offense.
Quick Info |
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|---|---|
| Real Name: | Cooper Edward Nicholson |
| Birth Date: | May 5, 2005 |
| Age (as of 2026): | 21 Years |
| Birth Place: | Des Moines, Iowa, USA |
| Height: | 1.63 m (5 ft 4 in) |
| Parents: | Eddie and Deb Nicholson |
| Girlfriend: | Megan Vertin |
Early Life
Cooper Nicholson was born May 5th, 2005 in Des Moines, IA and grew up in nearby West Des Moines. Born and raised in a sports family, he has always had a passion for sport. Competition was a part of his childhood from organized sports to playing games amongst family members in the backyard.
Eddie Nicholson, his father, was a significant contributor in supporting Cooper in his baseball career. His mother Deb Nicholson was an athlete as well, playing collegiate softball at Minnesota State University Mankato. Cooper also shared a childhood with his younger brother, Carter (Elton), who was his best friend and rival.
Nicholson played on numerous sports teams at West Des Moines’ Dowling Catholic High School. Played two seasons for the First-Team All-State baseball team and All-State football team. He was an all-around and athletic player and was one of the top high school athletes in Iowa and a senior class male athlete of the year at Dowling Catholic.
Career
Cooper Nicholson began his collegiate baseball career at Iowa Central Community College, where he quickly turned into a prolific junior college hitter in the country. His two seasons at the helm of the Tritons included stellar offensive numbers, plus a handful of the Tritons’ records.
Nicholson has won numerous awards such as Iowa Central Player of the Year, NJCAA Player of the Year, and NJCAA All-American and was ranked as the top player in the country by the ICCAC and NJCAA.
Overall his batting average was solid and Cooper Nicholson posted program record totals of home runs, RBIs, runs scored and averages of at-bats. He went on to become a nationally known power hitter in the 2025 season, when he hit a Division I single-season school record for home runs.
After a breakout junior college season, Nicholson went on to transfer to the University of North Carolina ahead of the 2026 season. A chance from one of the nation’s top baseball programs, but he didn’t dawdle, and he soon made himself the starter at third base by default.
Cooper Nicholson played in each of the 10 games for the Tar Heels and was an instant star on offense. He was one of the most volatile hitters in the ACC and was extremely powerful with great run to hit. He blasted the most home runs in North Carolina in 2026 and was a key factor in the Carolina’s run to the College World Series finals.
Personal Life
As of 2026, Cooper Nicholson is in a relationship with Megan Vertin. The couple have shared numerous photos together on social media, and their posts have publicly confirmed their relationship. While Nicholson is best known for his success on the baseball field, Megan has frequently appeared in his social media updates, giving fans a glimpse into their life together. Their relationship has been openly documented online, and they are often seen supporting each other during important milestones and events.
Social Media
Around 2.3K people follow Cooper Nicholson’s Instagram account, @cooper.nicholson1. He spends most of his profile on the sport of baseball, a compilation of moments in a game, training, success and milestones. On occasion, his fans will also get to see a bit of his life off of the pitch, like with teammates, family and other athletes.
Cooper Nicholson Net Worth
Collegiate athlete Cooper Nicholson’s net worth, as well as his salary, is not known to the public. He is not disqualified from taking advantage of Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) opportunities, however, in which student-athletes can benefit and monetize their likeness, image and name via endorsements, appearances and promotional offers. His NIL value has shot up since he was summoned to North Carolina and wracked up one of the Tar Heels’ leading season batting averages, as well.
