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University of New Mexico Lobos athletics
91

Nik D'Avanzo

Position

Defensive Line

Height

6-2

Weight

307 lbs.

Class

Fr.

Hometown

Baltimore, Md

Previous School

Archbishop Curley HS

New Mexico: Played as a true freshman in 2013 … turned into one of UNM’s most consistent defenders … has a knack for being around the ball and making plays … a quiet leader defensively … was named preseason fourth team all-conference by Phil Steele, and honorable mention by collegefootballpreseason.com

2014 (Sophomore Season): Played in in 11 games this season, making 10 starts for the Lobos … led the team with 4.5 sacks … recorded 52 total tackles, seven of them were tackles for loss … finished the season with two fumble recoveries, one each against Arizona State and Colorado State … set a career high for tacles against New Mexico State with nine … had seven tackles, six solos, and two for loss in a three-point win over UNLV … had a pair of sacks among his three tackles against Utah State … ended the season with five tackles, 1.5 of those sacks, against Wyoming in a 36-30 win.

2013 (Freshman Season): Played in all 12 games with one start for the Lobos … finished the season with 31 tackles, three tackles for loss, once sack, one forced fumble and one blocked field-goal attempt … he had a career-high seven tackles against UTEP … his three solo tackles against Wyoming were a career high … first career sack came at San Diego State … blocked a field-goal attempt at Fresno State.

High School: A 2012 consensus All-State selection on the defensive line for the Friars and coach Sean Murphy … had 58 tackles, 14 sacks, four forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, three pass breakups, one interception (returned for a touchdown) and one blocked punt for Curley in 2012 … on offense, he played fullback and had 114 carries for 664 yards and 10 TDs, and he had two receptions for 38 yards … also named a first-team Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association All-Conference defensive line selection, a Baltimore Sun All-Metro selection … selected to and started in the Crab Bowl (Maryland High School all-star football game) … nominated to play in the Big 33 Game (featuring all-stars from Maryland against all-stars from Pennsylvania) in the summer of 2013, with NFL Network broadcasting the game … Curley went 8-3 and reached the MIAA state championship semifinals in 2012 … in 2011, he had 81 tackles, six sacks and one fumble recovery as the Friars were the regular-season conference champions with a 7-4 record and made it to the MIAA semis … earned MIAA All-Conference honors, and was named to the Baltimore Touchdown Club “Super 22” Team … also rushed 43 times on offense for 271 yards and three scores … finished with 53 tackles in 2010, along with three sacks, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery … Curley was regular-season conference champions with a 9-3 record and advanced to the MIAA Championship game … played defensive end, defensive tackle, running back, fullback, H-back and tight end during his career for the Friars … rated as the No. 41 prospect in Maryland and the No. 101 defensive line prospect in the country by 247sports.com … clocked with a 4.9-second time in the 40-yard dash.

PERSONAL: Full name is Nikolaus Loren D’Avanzo … born Oct. 13, 1995 … majoring in liberal arts … parents are Kimberly and Rodney D’Avanzo.