Kelly Named to D3football.com All-American Team

Kelly Named to D3football.com All-American Team

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - Senior Nik Kelly was named to the 2017 D3football.com All-American Team on Friday evening, earning a spot on the honorable mention team.

Kelly, a senior defensive back from League City, Texas, was named a nominee for the Cliff Harris Award as well as spots on the first team All-ASC and the second team All-South Region Teams.

Kelly wraps up an illustrious career as one of the top pass defenders in the entire nation among all divisions. Kelly finished his career with 58 passes defended, good for first in all divisions in a four year career, and 17 interceptions, good for second.

Kelly was second in the ASC in passes defended with 14 and interceptions with four. Kelly finished with 41 tackles including four tackles for loss. Kelly finished 12th in the nation in passes defended per game at 1.8 as he finished with a total of 18 pass breakups. Kelly had two or more breakups in five games this season including two separate games with three.

Kelly was also a danger in returning kicks where he also earned honorable mention honors. He had 33 kick returns averaging 22.6 yards/return and a long of 55 yards. He also had 11 punt returns for 80 yards. 

It is the second straight season the Pirates have had someone named to the All-American Team as Justin Broussard earned a spot on the All-American Team a season ago.