By By Patrick McHugh, News Staff

In just two seasons, football safety Nate Thellen has made contributions on defense that have gained national recognition.
The junior from Brockton was named to the Sports Network’s preseason All-American second team July 9. He is one of 20 Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) players to be named a preseason All-American. Last season, former tight end Brian Mandeville was also selected for the Sports Network’s second team.
Thellen made nine starts his freshman season but emerged as a playmaker last season. Starting 11 games at free safety, he led the team with five interceptions and was fourth on the team in tackles with 58 total. He was named third team all-CAA and was named to the academic all-conference team.
One of his most notable performances last season was in a 27-10 victory over the University of California, Davis Sept. 27. Thellen had three interceptions, including one he returned 92 yards for a touchdown. For his effort he was named the CAA Defensive Player of the Week, the Sports Network National Player of the Week, the Eastern College Athletic Conference Co-Defensive Player of the Week, and received the Boston Globe Gold Helmet Award as New England’s best Football Championship Subdivision player of the week.
The football team begins play Sept. 5 at Boston College.