Northern Illinois University Athletics

2011: Redshirted.

High School: Finished 2010 with 178 tackles (116 solo, 62 assists), 16.5 sacks for minus 100 yards, four pass deflections and one forced fumble. Ranked 95th in the nation and second in the state in sacks and second in the state and 128th in the country in tackles as a senior. As team captain, helped lead Staley to an 11-3 record and state semifinals in 2010. Named team[apos]s defensive MVP. Garnered first team All-State, all-area and all-conference honors as a senior. Named to 2009 Second Team All-Kansas City Suburban Small Six Football Team. Posted 82 total tackles in 2009 (39 solo, 43 assists) along with five sacks for -32 yards, three forced fumbles, six fumble recoveries, two pass deflections and a blocked kick. Also had two carries, one resulted in a one-yard touchdown run. Played a large role in getting the Falcons to an 11-1 record and state semifinals appearance. Earned Staley[apos]s Newcomer of the Year as a junior. Holds SHS records for tackles in a season (178), sacks in a season (16.5) and tackles in a game (21). Also ran track as a junior, placing fifth in the state in 4x100 relay as the anchor, sixth in long jump and seventh in triple jump. Involved in Young Life youth program.

Personal: Born November 3, 1992 in Killeen, Texas. Son of Michael and Marva Nelson. Plans to be a psychology major. Admires DeMarcus Ware and Ray Lewis.