Iowa Wesleyan- The Tiger football program took some major strides forward this season as they doubled their win total from a year ago, thanks in large part to the suffocating defense. The defensive unit broke four records: fewest rushing yards allowed in a season, fewest total yards allowed in a season, most sacks in a game, and fewest rushing yards in a game. The leader of that defense was aptly named Major Niccum.
Niccum was named honorable mention All-American for NAIA at the linebacker position after his stat stuffer of a season. He led the Tigers with 118 tackles, including 7 sacks and 24 tackles for a loss. Niccum added two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries, which one of them was returned for a touchdown. He led the conference and NAIA in tackles for a loss and was top five in the conference in total tackles, tackles per game, and total sacks.
Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator MD Daniels had this to say about his defensive leader,
“He is a fierce competitor and one of the hardest-working kids I’ve ever been around. I’m super proud of him and I know he will use this award as fuel heading into the off-season.”
Niccum is the 36th Tiger to be named NAIA All-American/All-American honorable mention and the first to do so since linebacker Erskine Jude in 2005.