University of Delaware Athletics
Delaware's Bilal Nichols Earns Third Team All-American Football Honors
12/15/2017 4:16:00 PM | Football
CLEVELAND – Add All-American honors to list of impressive awards earned by University of Delaware football standout nose tackle Bilal Nichols this season.
Nichols, a four-year standout on the defensive line for the Blue Hens, was honored as a third team Phil Steele FCS All-American on Friday.
A native of Newark, Del. (Hodgson Vo-Tech High School), Nichols is the first Blue Hen to earn All-American honors since linebacker Troy Reeder was named a Sophomore All-American by HERO Sports last season and offensive tackle Ben Curtis was a second team Associated Press All-American in 2015.
The 6-4, 290 lb. Nichols is also the first UD defensive lineman to earn All-American honors since 2013 when current Denver Broncos Zach Kerr was a first team All-American pick by both the College Sporting News and Phil Steele.
Earlier this fall, Nichols earned first team All-Colonial Athletic Association and third team All-Eastern College Athletic Conference (All-East) honors and also earned an invitation to the East-West Shrine Game to be played Jan. 20 in St. Petersburg, Fla.
A four-year standout, Nichols played in 44 career games with 21 starts and recorded 104 tackles (50 solo), 10.5 sacks, 16.5 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, two interceptions, and 10 pass breakups.
After earning third team All-Colonial Athletic Association honors as a sophomore in 2015, he earned second team honors in 2016, and first team recognition this season when he recorded 56 tackles, including 5.5 sacks, and intercepted a pass.
Nichols was one of 16 CAA players honored on the four teams, including first team picks, WR Neil O'Connor of New Hampshire, OL Timon Parris and FB Cal Daniels of Stony Brook, and OL Jamil Demby and RB Josh Mack of Maine.
South Dakota quarterback Chris Streveler was named the Offensive Player of the Year while Western Illinois linebacker Brett Taylor was selected as the Defensive Player of the Year.
MEDIA INFORMATION: Contact Scott Selheimer | selheime@udel.edu | Office: 302-831-8007 | Cell: 302-562-5129
