Nichols Named To Thorpe Award Watch List
TAMPA, JULY 14, 2017 – Senior cornerback
Deatrick Nichols (Miami) was named to the Thorpe Award Watch List Friday, marking the third national award watch list for the Miami native and bringing USF's total of Bulls on national award watch lists to seven on eight awards lists.
Nichols was one of three American Athletic Conference players named to the watch list for the Thorpe Award, presented annually to college football's top defensive back, adding it to watch lists for the Bednarik Award and Nagurski Trophy, both presented to the outstanding defensive player in college football. The National College Football Awards will continue announcements of preseason candidates for national recognition in college football next week.
USF is now represented on eight national award watch lists by seven players: senior quarterback
Quinton Flowers (Maxwell), senior punter
Jonathan Hernandez (Ray Guy), senior cornerback
Deatrick Nichols (Bednarik, Nagurski & Thorpe), senior center
Cameron Ruff (Rimington), senior linebacker
Auggie Sanchez (Nagurski), senior defensive lineman
Deadrin Senat (Nagurski & Outland) and sophomore tight end
Mitchell Wilcox (Mackey).
Nichols, a two-time all-conference selection at cornerback, has led USF with four interceptions in each of the last two seasons and brings eight career interceptions into 2017 to lead all USF returners. Nichols also brings 119 career tackles, third among USF returners, into his senior season. He posted 49 tackles and a team high seven pass break-ups to go along with his four interceptions last year. The lockdown corner also was big in several late game situations as he denied opposing team's top receivers to end potential game-winning drives. He has started every game at cornerback the last two seasons.
ABOUT THE AWARD
The Paycom Jim Thorpe Award is one of the most coveted awards in college football. It is awarded to the best defensive back in college football based on performance on the field, athletic ability and character. The award was established in 1986 and is named after history's greatest all-around athlete, Jim Thorpe. Thorpe excelled not only as a running back, passer, and kicker on the offensive side of the ball; but also stood out as a defensive back. In addition to his legendary performance on the football field, Thorpe played professional baseball and won Olympic gold medals in the decathlon and pentathlon. The Thorpe Award Winner is selected from three finalists and will be announced at The Home Depot College Football Awards on Thursday, December 7, 2017, on ESPN. The Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Banquet will be held on Tuesday, February 6, 2018, in Oklahoma.
ABOUT USF FOOTBALL
USF finished the 2016 season ranked No. 19 in the Associated Press poll with a school-record 11 wins following the program's fifth-ever bowl victory in the Birmingham Bowl. The Bulls' 11-2 record marked the fifth-best winning percentage in FBS football in 2016 and one of just 11 teams to reach 11 wins. USF set nearly 40 team and individual records in 2016, including team records for total yards (6,650), rushing yards (3,714), touchdowns (77) and scoring (569). Junior quarterback Quinton Flowers was named the American Conference Offensive Player of the Year and led a school-record 10 players named to the all-conference team, six of which, including Flowers, will return in 2017.
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