Football · #22
Nick Palazzo: The Football Story
From the Friday-night fields of Northeast Ohio to Harvard Stadium — the running back who helped end an 88-year wait for a perfect Crimson season.
Mayfield High School, 1998 — Nick Palazzo (#22) on the run to the state semifinals.
Mayfield High School · Ohio
Three-Time All-Ohio Running Back
Before Cambridge, Nick Palazzo was one of the most decorated running backs in Ohio. At Mayfield High School he earned All-Ohio honors three times, capped by First Team All-State as a senior and a place among the candidates for Ohio Mr. Football.
He was a three-time First Team All-Conference and All-Northeast Ohio selection, and spent two seasons in the Greater Cleveland Conference, a league famous for producing NFL talent. As a three-year starter he piled up close to 5,000 all-purpose yards and roughly 60 touchdowns.
In 1998 Nick Palazzo carried Mayfield to the Ohio State Semifinals — the school's first trip that deep since 1984 — and was named Western Reserve Conference MVP after winning the conference title.
Ohio State, his dream school, passed on offering a scholarship because of his height. Nick Palazzo turned that into fuel, narrowed his choices to Harvard, Yale and Princeton, and picked Harvard — drawn by its coaches, its players, and the chance to play in The Game.
Harvard University
Nick Palazzo at Harvard
Over three seasons Nick Palazzo produced more than 2,500 all-purpose yards and nearly 30 touchdowns at 5.7 yards a carry — ranking among the most productive backs in Harvard history. He always handed the credit to his teammates, his coaches, his offensive line, and to his faith in Jesus Christ.
2001 · Harvard vs. Dartmouth
The Greatest Comeback in 128 Years
Sidelined with a pulled hamstring, Nick Palazzo watched Harvard fall behind Dartmouth 21-0. At halftime he suited up and asked to play. With the perfect season on the line, the staff let him try.
He scored two touchdowns, including the game-tying run, as Harvard completed the biggest comeback in program history. ESPN.com put the celebration on its homepage.
2001 · Harvard vs. Penn
The Game of the Century
Two unbeaten teams, Week 9, the Ivy title at stake. Penn brought the nation's top run defense — 30 yards allowed per game — and jumped ahead 14-0.
Harvard's coach told Nick Palazzo the ball was his. Seven straight carries later, on 3rd-and-goal from the 1, he was hit in the backfield, broke six tackles and lunged in. Later, at 14-14, he abandoned his route to bury a blitzing tackle and give his quarterback time for a 60-yard go-ahead touchdown — then iced the game by running through three defenders for a first down.
Career timeline
Nick Palazzo, Year by Year
1996–98
Mayfield High School starter
Three seasons, ~5,000 all-purpose yards and ~60 touchdowns for the Wildcats.
1998
Ohio State Semifinals
Nick Palazzo leads Mayfield to its first state semifinal since 1984; WRC Champion and MVP.
1999
Chooses Harvard
Overlooked by Ohio State because of his height, he picks Harvard over Yale and Princeton to play in The Game.
2001
Dartmouth comeback
Returns from a pulled hamstring at halftime, down 21-0, and scores twice — including the tying TD.
2001
Penn: Game of the Century
Breaks six tackles on 3rd-and-goal from the 1 to spark a win over the nation's top run defense.
2001
Undefeated Ivy League Champions
Harvard's first perfect season since 1913.
Honors
Nick Palazzo's Football Honors
- 2001 Undefeated Ivy League Champion — Harvard
- William V. Campbell Trophy (Academic Heisman) nominee
- 2,500+ all-purpose yards and ~30 TDs at Harvard, 5.7 yards per carry
- First Team All-Ohio (senior year), three-time All-Ohio
- Ohio Mr. Football candidate
- Three-time First Team All-Conference and All-Northeast Ohio
- Western Reserve Conference Champion & MVP
- Two seasons in the Greater Cleveland Conference
"A champion lives forever." The discipline, perseverance, faith and brotherhood behind 2001 still drive every company Nick Palazzo builds.
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