Nick Mears

Photo by: Inertia Sports Media/Dave Eggen

Position:
Defensive Back
Height:
5-11
Class:
Freshman
Hometown:
Milbank, S.D.
High School:
Milbank H.S.
Major:
Economics

Honors and Awards
* CoSIDA Academic All-America First Team (2015)
* CoSIDA/Capital One Academic All-District (2014, 2015)
* FCS Athletic Directors Association Academic All-Star Team (2015)
* MIssouri Valley Football Conference All-Academic First Team (2015)
* MVFC Presidents Council Academic Award (2015)
* MVFC Commissioner's Academic Excellence Award (2013, 2014, 2015)
* MVFC Honor Roll (2012, 2013, 2014, 2015)

2015: Started all nine games in which he played ... finished fifth on the team with 54 tackles ... forced a fumble, broke up a pass and was credited with six tackles in season opener at Kansas ... also registered six tackles and broke up a pass in Beef Bowl win over Robert Morris (Pa.) ... recorded season-high 11 tackles in home contest against North Dakota State ... tallied a half-sack and five total tackles in win over Indiana State ... missed three games due to injury before returning to lineup with six-tackle performance at South Dakota ... closed regular season by notching eight tackles and a forced fumble at Western Illinois ... made six stops in Football Championship Subdivision playoff game at Montana

2014: Saw action in 13 games with 11 starts ... ranked second on team with 96 tackles (64 solo) ... recorded double digits in tackles on three occasions, starting with 10-tackle performance in home opener against Cal Poly ... credited with nine tackles (8 solo) in home win over Missouri State ... registered seven tackles, including 1.5 tackles for loss, and made first career interception in road win at nationally ranked Northern Iowa to receive team’s Effort Award... broke up three passes and notched seven tackles in Hobo Day game versus Youngstown State ... made 10 stops and broke up a pass in regular season game at North Dakota State ... tallied career-high 12 tackles versus Western Illinois ... totaled eight tackles in each Football Championship Subdivision playoff game, against Montana State and North Dakota State

2013: Played in all 14 games either on special teams or as a reserve safety ... registered three tackles in collegiate debut against Butler (Ind.) ... made two tackles in back-to-back games against Southeastern Louisiana and Nebraska ... tallied four tackles in home finale versus Indiana State ... recorded career-high nine tackles in Football Champion-ship Subdivision playoff game at Eastern Washington

2012: Redshirted ... named squad’s Scout Special Teams Player of the Week in preparation for Football Championship Subdivision playoff game against Eastern Illinois

BEFORE SDSU: Was a finalist for South Dakota Gatorade Player of the Year after a record-setting career as a quarterback at Milbank High School ... racked up more than 7,500 yards of total offense, throwing for 4,595 career yards with 58 touchdowns, while rushing for another 3,000 yards with 34 TDs ... helped lead Milbank to a state title as a sophomore and was a three-time all-Northeast Conference selection ... also earned all-state recognition as both a punter and a quarterback ... member of the Sioux Falls Argus Leader Elite 45 ... named most valuable player of South Dakota All-Star Game over the summer ... registered 115 career tackles ... in track and field, was a state qualifier in the sprints and triple jump, as well as relays ... academic all-state
honoree and member of the National Honor Society