2015 All-Conference USA Honorable Mention
2016 (SENIOR): Started all 12 contests … earned a Conference USA Honorable mention after leading team in tackles for loss (8.0-41), sacks (5.5-31) and quarterback hurries (five) … ranked third on team with 77 tackles (35 solo) … added two pass breakup and a blocked kick … ranked tied no. 8 in C-USA in total sacks … finishes career ranked tied no. 10 with five other Miners in career sacks (12.0) … tied career high with nine tackles on three different occasions … recorded nine stops with 0.5 sack against Southern Miss … totaled nine more tackles with 1.0 tackle for loss and 0.5 a sack versus FIU … registered nine tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, a sack and hurry during a 5OT win at UTSA … notched eight stops with 1.0 tackle for loss, two hurries and a pass breakup at LA Tech … opened campaign with seven tackles during a victory against rival NM State … followed with seven more stops and tied career-high with 2.0 sacks at no. 11 Texas … notched a sack, a hurry and six stops at Florida Atlantic … blocked a field goal attempt that was returned by teammate 80 yards for a touchdown, while adding four tackles at Rice … notched six tackles, 0.5 sack, a hurry and a pass breakup in a victory against Houston Baptist.
2015 (JUNIOR): Started in all 12 games … recorded 46 tackles (27s/19a), a career-best 10 tackles for loss, one forced fumble, five quarterback hurries and a blocked kick … ranked second on the team in sacks with 3.5 for 21 yards … tied career-best nine tackles (seven solo) versus FIU, while adding 1.5 tackles for loss and an assisted sack … helped the Miners secure a win versus Incarnate Word with five tackles, two tackles for loss (10 yards), two quarterback hurries and a single game-best two sacks … helped the team secure a win over Rice - UTEP’s first since 2010 - posting three stops and a blocked kick … tallied six tackles (four solo), two tackles for loss (11 yards), one sack (10 yards) and a fumble forced at Southern Miss … notched eight stops (five solo), one tackle for loss and a fumble recovery versus UTSA … registered five showings with four or more tackles.
2014 (SOPHOMORE): Played in all 13 games, starting 12 ... tallied 41 tackles (20 solo), 5.5 tackles for loss (24 yards), three sacks (18 yards), three quarterback hurries and a forced fumble ... established a career-best eight tackles (four solo), while tallying a quarterback hurry and a tackle for loss (four yards) against rival NM State ... garnered first collegiate sack at New Mexico, while recording four tackles ... registered six stops and a quarterback sack (nine yards) during a win over North Texas ... forced a fumble and collected three tackles against Southern Miss ... chipped in with three stops during a shutout win at UTSA ... registered five stops against Middle Tennessee ... led team to New Mexico Bowl, its first since 2010.
2013 (FRESHMAN): Saw action in all 12 games ... logged 15 tackles (7s/8a) ... recorded a quarterback hurry and a pass breakup ... notched a season-best five tackles during a victory at rival NM State ... tallied two tackles and a pass breakup during home win over FIU.
PRIOR TO UTEP: Instinctive player who produced 11.5 sacks on his way to earning All-CIF honors as a senior for Serra High School in 2012 ... also recognized as a Mission League first team member and a first team All-Area honoree ... finished with 61 tackles, 38 of which were solos ... also recovered two fumbles ... efforts aided SHS to a 14-2 record, including 4-1 in the league ... led squad to the CIF championship ... played in two postseason all-star games, totaling 26 tackles, six sacks and a touchdown ... key member of the eight-man defensive line rotation ... contributed four sacks and nine tackles as a junior.
PERSONAL: Full name is Nicholas F. Usher ... son of Norman and Geraldine Usher ... has one brother and one sister ... born in Los Angeles, Calif. ... communications major.
