Faulk recognized as top defensive player in the nation
The Garden City defensive lineman was named the 2015 NJCAA Football Defensive Player of the Year
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Jeremy Faulk of Garden City (Kan.) was recognized Wednesday as the 2015 Spalding® NJCAA Football Defensive Player of the Year.
"It's an honor to win this award," Faulk said, "and to be in this position took more than just me. I would like to thank my family, especially my mother Kim Myles for always supporting me. I am thankful to all the people at Garden City Community College. When I didn't think I was going to make my goal of graduating and playing major college football, Garden City gave me an option when I thought there were none. The work ethic and faith instilled in me by my mother and structure provided for me by Garden City Community College is where I learned to never give up and never give in."
Exploding off the ball, Faulk's constant occupation of the backfield served as a perpetual disruption to opposing offenses throughout the season. The sophomore accumulated 18.5 tackles-for-loss, tying for 10th in the country during the regular season. Faulk totaled 87 total tackles for the year – 50 solo – and led the Broncbusters with 7.5 sacks.
"Jeremy Faulk is the example of what two-year college football is all about," said Garden City head coach Jeffrey Sims. "He was not afraid to work hard, trust and make corrections along the way."
If he wasn't involved in a tackle, Faulk's presence had a huge impact on the Garden City defensive unit. The Broncbusters led the Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference (KJCCC) in passing defense – holding opponents to just 168.8 yards per game through the air in 2015.
Showcasing his playmaking ability, Faulk forced and recovered two fumbles over the course of the season. The Hastings, Florida, native also made cameo appearances in the Garden City backfield with 19 carries for 46 yards rushing and two touchdowns.
Starting off his sophomore campaign on a strong note, Faulk enjoyed one of his best performances of the season in the Broncbusters' opener at Highland (Kan.). He recorded 10 tackles – four for a loss – a sack and forced and recovered a fumble en route to a Garden City 36-28 victory.
Faulk is the third Broncuster to be named player of the year and the first to win the defensive honor. He joins former quarterback Chris Windsor and running back Frank Murphy who earned the award in 1994 and 1997, respectively.
Receiving multiple scholarship offers from power five programs at the four-year level, it was announced Wednesday that Faulk signed with Baylor to continue his collegiate football career in the Big 12 Conference next season.
"Jeremy bought into the daily process of improving academically, athletically and as a young man in an effort to create opportunities for his future," Sims said. "He never gave up and continued to work through any hurdle, always moving forward towards his goals of graduating, being the best football player he could be and creating new opportunities on the four-year level."
About the Spalding® NJCAA Football Player of the Year Awards
Since 1990, the NJCAA Football Coaches Association has recognized the top football player in the country with the NJCAA Football Player of the Year award. The award was split into an offensive and defensive honor beginning in 2000. Spalding® partnered with the NJCAA in 2013 to become the title sponsor of both awards.
Spalding® in the Collegiate Football Market
Spalding® is currently the official football of the Arena Football League (AFL) – a distinction held since 2004. In the collegiate market, Spalding® is the official football the Southwestern Athletic Conference (NCAA Div. I), the Mid-Eastern Atlantic Conference (NCAA Div. I), the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (NCAA Div. II) and the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (NCAA Div. II). Spalding® is a trademark of Russell Brands, LLC.
Photos courtesy of Garden City Athletics.