OKLAHOMA CITY – Tulane football senior cornerback Parry Nickerson has been named one of 13 semifinalists for 2017 Paycom Jim Thorpe Award, given to the top defensive back in college football.
Nickerson, the only semifinalist representing the American Athletic Conference, is having another all-star season with 36 tackles (29 solo), 2.0 tackles for loss, three interceptions and four pass breakups. His three picks are tied for 16th in the nation through seven games. He set a career high with nine tackles at FIU on Oct. 14, eclipsing his previous best of eight at East Carolina on Nov. 22, 2014.
The Algiers, La., native continues his climb up the school’s all-time lists, currently sitting fourth in career interceptions with 13 and fourth in career pass breakups with 27. For his career, Nickerson has 169 tackles, 8.0 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries and one block to his credit.
One of the most coveted awards in college football, the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award is given to the best defensive back in college football based on performance on the field, athletic ability and character. The award is named after history’s greatest athlete, Jim Thorpe, and is presented by the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame and Jim Thorpe Association in Oklahoma City. Thorpe excelled at every sport in which he competed, including football at which he played on the offensive and defensive side of the ball.
The three Thorpe Award finalists will be named on Monday, Nov. 20 and the winner will be announced at the live Home Depot College Football Awards Show on Thursday, Dec. 7 airing on ESPN. The winner of the 2017 PaycomJim Thorpe Award will be honored at a banquet in Oklahoma City on Feb. 6, 2018.
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