UTEP Miners

2017 All-Conference USA Honorable Mention

CAREER NOTES: Has recorded 24 pass breakups during career, ranking tied for second with five other players on the program’s all-time list … needs one pass breakup to tie the overall leader in UTEP history … tied a school record by breaking up five passes against WKU on Oct. 7, 2017 … his 11 pass breakups in 2016 rank tied for eighth on program’s single-season list.
 
2017 (JUNIOR): Started in 11 of 12 games played … did not start against LA Tech due to ‘Senior Day’ … ranked fifth on the team with a career-high 59 tackles (second most by a UTEP defensive back in 2017) with 28 solo stops … earned All-Conference USA honorable mention ... tied for the team lead with eight pass breakups (ranked tied for seventh in C-USA) … led team with nine passes defended (ranked tied for 10th in C-USA) … tied for second on team with 4.5 tackles for loss … added a sack (first career full sack), interception and a fumble recovery … registered career-high five pass breakups against WKU (tied for most in UTEP history) and chipped in with five stops and half a tackle for loss against the Hilltoppers … registered second career interception, while tallying six tackles at Middle Tennessee … tied career high with season-most nine tackles against UTSA, while adding half a tackle for loss … recorded six tackles, 1.0 tackle for loss, 1.0 sack and a fumble recovery against Rice … tallied five stops against Arizona … registered a tackle and pass breakup at NM State … recorded five stops at Army … credited with career-high 2.0 tackles for loss along with four tackles at Southern Miss … tallied five tackles and a pass breakup at North Texas … registered five tackles against LA Tech and four at UAB.

2016 (SOPHOMORE): Started all 12 contests … ranked fifth on team with 54 tackles (28 solo) … led team with 11 pass breakups (tied  for eighth-most during a single season with two other Miners) … added 2.0 tackles for loss … led team with 32 tackles on passing plays … commenced campaign by breaking up a season-best three passes (tied for third most in school history in a single game) and tallying three tackles in a victory over rival NM State … established career high with nine tackles during a 5OT win at UTSA … recorded eight tackles, a tackle for loss and a breakup at LA Tech … tallied five stops and two breakups versus FIU … registered eight tackles at Florida Atlantic … capped campaign with an eight-tackle, two-pass breakup performance during a dominant triumph over North Texas. 

2015 (FRESHMAN): Played in 11 games and started in seven … registered 38 tackles (25s/13a), two tackles for loss, an interception, six pass breakups, one blocked kick and a shared sack … recorded season-best six solo tackles versus Texas Tech … posted six stops, one tackle for loss, a shared sack and a pass breakup in overtime victory over NM State … registered first career interception in first conference win of the season against FAU … tallied five stops versus LA Tech … had seven performances with three or more tackles … caught a punt return against Arkansas and Rice.

2014: Redshirted.

PRIOR TO UTEP: 2013 first team All-Freeway League honoree ... helped Coyotes post an 8-3 overall record (4-1 league record) ... played defensive back and wide receiver during 2013 season ... hauled in 39 passes for 877 yards (22.5 avg.) and five touchdowns ... averaged 87.7 yards per game ... tallied 38 tackles (31s/7a), three tackles for loss, two interceptions and .5 sack ... named player of the game in a 47-15 victory over Westminster High School after he caught four passes for 85 yards and a score, also ran for a 55-yard touchdown ... on defense, notched two tackles and an interception in the same matchup ... pulled in seven receptions for 125 yards and a touchdown during a 34-16 win over Troy High School ... recorded a season-high 180 yards on six catches and a score versus La Habra High School ... a two-star recruit on Scout.com and ranked 74th cornerback in the nation on 247sports.com ... was named the 2013 Scholar Athlete.

PERSONAL: Full name is Nikolas James Needham ... son of Steve Calhoun and Shannon Needham ... is an only child ... born in Long Beach, Calif. ... communication major.