Player Bio: Troy Nolan

The Wait and Seize Approach...After a two-pick game, Texans safety Troy Nolan might be starting soon (Houston Chronicle/Oct. 5, 2010

ASU: Former junior college transfer who had an outstanding two years in a Sun Devil uniform...started all 25 games in the last two seasons...served as a team captain in 2008...recorded 128 tackles (81 solo), 13 pass break-ups and 10 interceptions over his two-year career...scored five touchdowns on defense, with four interception returns and one fumble return...tied the single-season school record with two interception returns for a touchdown in both 2007 and 2008...had six interceptions in 2007, the most by a Sun Devil since Nathan LaDuke also had six in 1989...was named Second-Team All-Pac-10 each of the past two seasons...joined the team during the spring of 2006, but missed the entire 2006 season due to injury...a junior college teammate of former Sun Devils Justin Tryon and Jonathan Johnson.

2008: Started all 12 games...was second on the team with four interceptions and led the defense with 167 interception return yards and three touchdown returns...tied for fourth in the Pac-10 with his four interceptions, and his 167 interception return yards led the conference...was fourth on the team with 64 tackles (42 solo) and second with six pass break-ups...earned Second-Team All-Pac-10 honors for the second consecutive year...was on the preseason watch list for the Bednarik Award and Nagurski Trophy, both for the nation's best defensive player, as well as the Thorpe Award, presented to the top defensive back in the nation...was also on the watch list for the Lott Trophy and the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award...had an interception in ASU's victory over Stanford on Sept. 6...collected seven tackles (three solo) against UNLV on Sept. 13...recorded five tackles (four solo) against No. 3 Georgia on Sept. 20...led the team with eight tackles (five solo) and had a pass break-up at California on Oct. 4...posted six solo tackles and had an interception at No. 8 USC on Oct. 11...had five tackles (three solo) and forced a fumble against Oregon on Oct. 25...collected eight tackles and had a 41-yard interception return for a touchdown at Oregon State on Nov. 1...that return was the team's first defensive touchdown of the season...recovered a fumble and returned it 44 yards for a touchdown in win at Washington on Nov. 8...also had seven tackles (three solo) and two pass break-ups in that game...had two pass break-ups in win over Washington State on Nov. 15...tied an NCAA record with a 100-yard interception return for a touchdown in win over UCLA on Nov. 28, cutting in front of a Bruin receiver in the end zone, tipping the ball to himself and then running it back for a touchdown that put ASU ahead by 15...collected eight tackles (seven solo) against UCLA...posted seven solo tackles, including two tackles for loss, at Arizona on Dec. 6...shared the team's Most Valuable Defensive Player of the Year honors with Mike Nixon, and he also won the Pat Tillman Valor Award at the team's year-end banquet.

2007: Started all 13 games at safety...led the team with six interceptions, 129 interception return yards and two interception returns for touchdowns...his six interceptions put him second in the Pac-10, and only 11 players in the Bowl Subdivision had more on the season...finished third on the team with 64 tackles (39 solo) and second with seven pass break-ups...earned Second-Team All-Pac-10 honors...was named to the Watch List for the Jim Thorpe Award, presented annually to the nation's top defensive back...posted three tackles in his first career college game against San Jose State on Sept. 1...had his first career interception in the second quarter against Colorado on Sept. 8, and he returned it 26 yards for a touchdown that helped the Sun Devils rally back from an early 14-point deficit to defeat the Buffaloes...recorded six tackles (five solo) and had an interception in victory over San Diego State on Sept. 15...had two interceptions, both in the second half, and 68 return yards in ASU's come-from-behind victory over Oregon State on Sept. 22...posted seven tackles (two solo) at Washington State on Oct. 6...had a 35-yard interception return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter of ASU's victory over Washington on Oct. 13...collected six tackles (five solo) in win over California on Oct. 27...recorded eight tackles (four solo) at Oregon on Nov. 3...had six tackles (four solo) and two pass break-ups in win at UCLA on Nov. 10...totaled a season-high 10 tackles (five solo) against USC on Nov. 22...had an interception in the second quarter of team's victory over Arizona on Dec. 1...shared the team's Gail Scott Most Improved Defensive Player Award with cornerback Justin Tryon...was awarded the Clyde B. Smith Award for academic achievement at the team's year-end banquet and was named one of the Student-Athletes of the Semester by ASU's Office of Student-Athlete Development for his academic performance in the fall semester.

2006: Redshirted due to injury.

JUNIOR COLLEGE: A 2005 graduate of the College of the Canyons in Santa Clarita, Calif...named All-Western States Conference first-team on defense in 2005...led College of the Canyons to the National Championship, the Western States Conference Championship and the California State Championship in 2004...also led the College of the Canyons to the Western States Conference Championship in 2005...coached by Chuck Lyon.

HIGH SCHOOL: Graduated from El Camino Real High School in Woodland Hills, Calif...named first-team All-West Valley Conference on defense in 2003 and second-team on offense...was the Most Valuable Player of the West Valley Conference in 2003...named second-team All-West Valley Conference on defense in 2003 and first-team on offense...named the El Camino Real High defensive Player of the Year in football in 2003...captained the football team in 2003...lettered in football, basketball, track anf field and soccer.

PERSONAL: Earned his degree (B.I.S., interdisciplinary studies) in May of 2008...plans to pursue a career working for the F.B.I. once his football career ends...parents are Troy Nolan Sr. and Karen Gatewood...is an only child...lists having won the Junior College National Championship as his most exciting sports moment...chose to attend ASU because he wanted to compete in the Pac-10 Conference...born Sept. 7, 1986...full name is Troy Dana Nolan Jr.

Nolan's Career Statistics

Troy Nolan Hometown: Los Angeles, Calif. High School: El Camino Real Last College: College of the Canyons Height / Weight: 6-2 / 207 Position: Safety Birthdate: 09/07/1986 Experience: 2007-08 Degree Earned: B.I.S., Interdisciplinary Studies (2008)