Tankersley signs with Carson-Newman

Tue. February 21, 2012 at 9:40 a.m. | By Tom Balog, Htpreps.com Sportswriter

Nicolas Tankersley (Photo by Staff File Photo)

BRADENTON
 

Nick Tankersley kicked around the idea of accepting a "preferred" walk-on offer from Auburn University.
A couple weeks ago, that was his intention.

But the Manatee High kicker gave that idea the boot, when a firm scholarship offer came along and he has signed with Division II Carson-Newman College, located in Jefferson City, Tenn.

"It ended up being a good situation for him," Manatee head coach Joe Kinnan said. "It's an area he wanted to go to, also."

Tankersley was a valuable weapon as both a punter and kicker for the FHSAA Class 7A state champion Hurricanes.
He was Manatee's leading scorer with 101 points, including 53 point-after touchdown kicks and 16 field goals in 15 games.
He averaged 37.37 yards per punt, with a long of 50 yards in the 13-10 state semifinal victory over Fort Pierce Central, and also had 53 touchbacks on 93 kickoffs.