WILLIAMSBURG, Va. (Feb. 26, 2015)—Former William and Mary All-American safety Jerome Couplin III was recognized for being selected as the 2013-14 Tribe Club Senior Male Athlete of the Year at the home men's basketball game against Drexel.

Couplin, currently a member of the Philadelphia Eagles, received the award during the second media timeout of the second half.

One of the greatest players in school history, Couplin signed a free agent contract with the Detroit Lions following an outstanding senior season in which he earned first-team All-America honors from the Associated Press, the Sports Network and the Walter Camp Football Foundation. Additionally, the first-team all-conference selection was chosen as a finalist for the Buchanan Award, which honors the nation's best Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) defensive player each season.

Couplin, a team captain, led the Colonial Athletic Association and ranked 10th nationally with 5.8 solo tackles per game as a senior. Additionally, the Upper Marlboro, Md., native ranked third in the CAA with 9.4 tackles per game – a figure that led the league among defensive backs.

In addition to leading the team with 113 tackles (70 solo), the two-time All-CAA honoree recorded two forced fumbles, 2.5 tackles for a loss, six PBU's and two forced fumbles in 2013. Couplin also returned a fumble 51 yards for a touchdown in the win at Delaware en route to earning CAA Defensive Player of the Week honors.

A three-year starter, Couplin finished his career with 257 total tackles (158 solo), five interceptions, 21 passes defended, five forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and 4.5 tackles for a loss.