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Overview
From a former walk-on struggling to get on the field at strong safety to one of the premier receivers in the collegiate ranks, Nelson has come a long way since his days at Riley County High School. His banner senior campaign saw him shatter school and Big 12 Conference reception records, as he was weekly highlight film who caught at least 10 passes in six contests during 2007.
For his stellar performances, Nelson became just the ninth player in school history to be named a consensus All-American in his final year, becoming the first KSU player to accomplish that feat since Terence Newman in 2002. He will leave Kansas State holding 11 different receiving records.
Nelson lettered three times as a quarterback and defensive back at Riley County High School. He was named first-team Class 3A All-State at quarterback by the Topeka Capital-Journal and was a second-team All-State selection for all divisions at quarterback and defensive back. He was chosen Flint Hills Player of the Year by the Manhattan Mercury and was a two-time All-Mid-East League first-team pick. He also played in the 2003 Kansas Shrine Bowl.
As a senior, Nelson connected on 62 percent of his passes for 1,029 yards and eight touchdowns. He rushed for 1,572 yards (9.8 avg) and scored 25 times on the ground that year. In his junior campaign, he passed for 1,045 yards and rushed for 730 yards and 16 touchdowns.
Nelson also lettered and started in basketball and track. He averaged 17.2 points on 58 percent shooting as a senior and set school career records for blocks (161), steals (225) and assists (325). He was named first-team All-State and the Manhattan Mercury's Flint Hills Player of the Year. He won the Class 3A track titles in the 100, 200 and 400 meters and long jump at the 2003 state meet, and set division records in the 100 meters (10.63) and 200 meters (21.64).
Despite his impressive prep career, Nelson walked on at Kansas State in 2003. He competed on the scout team at strong safety over the next two years, but never got on the playing field. With the KSU receiving unit depleted by graduation, Nelson asked to move to that unit in 2005.
He was a second-team All-Big 12 Conference choice that year, leading the team with 45 receptions for 669 yards (14.9 avg.) and eight touchdowns, adding another score by recovering a blocked punt in the end zone for a score vs. Texas A&M. During the season, he became the first player in school history to catch at least one touchdown in each of his first seven games.
A nagging left knee posterior cruciate ligament forced Nelson to miss quite a bit of early season practice time in 2006. He started nine of 13 games, managing to lead the squad with 39 catches for 547 yards (14.0 avg.), but just one touchdown. He also got to see some time at quarterback, completing one of two passes for 28 yards.
The consensus All-American shattered school and Big 12 Conference season records in 2007, hauling in 122 passes for 1,606 yards (13.2 avg.) and 11 touchdowns. He scored twice on five punt returns for 264 yards (52.8 avg.) and registered a school record 140 points. He hit on 2-of-4 passes for 45 yards and a pair of touchdowns, finishing with 1,863 all-purpose yards, an average of 155.25 per game.
In 36 games at Kansas State, Nelson started 32 contests. He ranks second in school history with 206 receptions for 2,822 yards (13.7 avg.) and is third in KSU annals with 20 touchdown grabs. He returned six punts for 267 yards (44.5 avg.) and three scores, as he also completed 3-of-6 passes for 73 yards and two touchdowns, adding seven tackles (6 solos) on special teams. He finished with 3,080 all-purpose yards, an average off 85.56 per game.
Analysis
Positives: While he is not really "muscled up," he has the frame that can carry at least another 15 pounds of bulk without having it affect his overall quickness … Lacks blazing speed, but shows good balance, body control and change of direction agility to compensate … Showed marked improvement for boundaries and sticks as a senior, doing a nice job of keeping his feet in bounds along the sidelines … Competitive type who showed he is capable of handling the ball in pressure situations … Plays with good toughness and the desire to compete on every play … Impressed scouts and coaches by playing the 2006 season with a knee injury that would sideline most … Shows good flexibility extending for the ball in a crowd and has those large, soft hands that lets him catch most of the throws outside his frame … Would not call him sudden, but does have competitive quickness in his routes, showing a better thrust off the line as a senior than he did in the past … Has the functional strength to power through the chuck, having learned how to swim and use his hands to get a clean release (not held up much when he powers through defenders) … Still needs to work on his acceleration out of his cuts, but makes smooth and fluid body turns looking the ball in (needs to improve his hip sink, though) … Because of his deceptive speed and quickness, he has worked hard at dropping his weight and accelerating out of his cuts better than in the past (has improved his double cut ability) … Might not have that second gear to run away, but he can turn a defensive back and sell a route (more of a physical receiver who gets good separation when he pushes off and shoves the defensive back) … Will uncover in time for the quarterback to deliver the ball in the short area, as he is good at adjusting and finding the seams … Natural, soft hands catcher who makes very good over-the-shoulder adjustments and is capable of tracking and catching the ball in his hands (no longer cradles or body catches) … Big target who is productive on impact working over the middle … Shows the ability to screen the defender and has outstanding ball concentration, appearing very confident he can get to most throws in a crowd … Not a good fit for the deep passing game due to his burst issues, but he can catch outside his framework or go low to grab the shoestring throws … Does not have explosion after the catch, but when he squares his shoulders and stays low in his pads, he can break arm tackles … Times his leaps well and with his height and long arm reach, he excels at high pointing most throws … Does a good job of settling underneath and perhaps due to his playing experience at quarterback, he shows the feel for coming back when the pocket is pressured … While he lacks the strength to blow up defenders as a blocker, he will position to pester and stalk … Will not hesitate to sacrifice his body and lay out for the ball.
Negatives: Has a good-size frame, but needs to add more muscle tone, especially in the upper body … More quick than fast, but must show better explosion coming off the snap, as he lacks a burst … Is still a work in progress recognizing defensive coverage, but made good strides finding the holes in the zone as a senior … Not really a vertical route runner, as he does not always gobble up the cushion and while he will gather to cut, he needs to show better hip sink … Mostly a position/pester type of blocker who will get in the way, but lacks the strength and hand placement to sustain … Better served playing in the slot than on the outside, as he has the frame to shield the ball from defenders and make the tough catch in a crowd, but does not have the timed speed to stretch the field.
Compares To: KEVIN WALTER-Houston … It took a few years for Walter to find the right system to play in, but if a team is looking for a slot receiver who can be physical over the middle, Nelson has more upside than most. Like Walter and Cleveland's Joe Jurevicius, Nelson is not going to win an Olympic sprint, but he is become a savvy route runner and shows good courage going for the ball in a crowd. While his numbers are the result of being the offense's only quality talent, you still have to be impressed with the progress he has made each year. You just get the feeling that he is on the verge of being a special player.
Injury Report
2006: Saw limited action in the Oklahoma State (10/07), Nebraska (10/14) and Missouri (10/21) games with a left knee posterior cruciate ligament strain suffered in the Baylor game (9/30). Wore a knee sleeve on his left leg the rest of the year.
Agility Tests
Campus: 4.59 in the 40-yard dash … 280-pound bench press … 31-inch vertical jump … 32 ½-inch arm length … 10-inch hands … Right-handed … 28/37 Wonderlic score.
Attended Riley (Kan.) County High School, playing football for head coach Steve Wagner … Lettered three times as a quarterback and defensive back … Named first-team Class 3A All-State at quarterback by the Topeka Capital-Journal and was a second-team All-State pick for all divisions at quarterback and defensive back … Chosen Flint Hills Player of the Year by the Manhattan Mercury and was a two-time All-Mid-East League first-team choice … Also played in the 2003 Kansas Shrine Bowl … As a senior, Nelson connected on 62 percent of his passes for 1,029 yards and eight touchdowns, rushed for 1,572 yards (9.8 avg) and scored 25 times on the ground that year … In his junior campaign, he passed for 1,045 yards and rushed for 730 yards and 16 touchdowns … Also lettered and started in basketball and track … Averaged 17.2 points on 58 percent shooting as a senior and set school career records for blocks (161), steals (225) and assists (325) … Named first-team All-State and the Manhattan Mercury's Flint Hills Player of the Year … Won the Class 3A track titles in the 100, 200, 400 and long jump at the 2003 state meet, and set division records in the 100 meters (10.63) and 200 meters (21.64).
Personal
Secondary Education major … Hopes to teach and coach once his playing days are over … Son of Kim and Alan Nelson … Born 5/31/85 in Manhattan, Kansas … Resides in Riley, Kansas.
