Rutgers class of 2014 target, Justin Nelson (No.1)
DePaul Catholic's 6-2, 235-pound Justin Nelson has FBS athlete written all over him. I covered the Chuck Mound Football Combine back in 2009 when Nelson was only an eighth grader. He was so talented that even though being, by far, the youngest combine participant, he routinely dominated soon-to-be seniors during the one-on-one portion of the combine.
Fast forward to 2010 - his freshman year at St. Peter's Prep - and head coach Rich Hansen states that Nelson might be the best freshman he has ever coached. And that's saying a lot being that Hansen has coached the likes of New York Giants safety, Will Hill, and Rutgers running back, Savon Huggins.
However, as a sophomore, Nelson and his family chose to take his talents to DePaul Catholic, a school which he felt was a better fit for him and his family, both academically and football-wise.
"I love it at DePaul," said Nelson. "I really like it up there. It's a good environment, its good football-wise, too. We went 5-5 this year. We played in a new conference and were a young team, but we'll definitely pick it up.
"The coaches there are great. They coach me just as well as any coach from any other school. They help me out academically, too. I love it there. And coach Brian Murray, he's the coach that helps out with the recruiting. He's really good, helps me out a lot. I don't have any complaints about the school."
Nelson has accrued 122 tackles and 22 sacks over the past two seasons since transferring to DePaul Catholic. He has competed exclusively from the defensive end position but plans to make plays as a linebacker, intercollegiately.
"I'm going to probably play the linebacker in college," said Nelson who encompasses a 315-pound bench press and 600-plus pound squat. "But I can put my hand in the dirt and be a tremendous edge rusher, for sure. Anything my future team needs me to do, I am willing to do it. At the end of the day, I just want to continue to do well academically and win football games."
Although Nelson transferred from prep soon after his freshman year, he and Rich Hansen still maintain a positive relationship. Nelson still considers Hansen a mentor and listens to the positive messages that Hansen continually feeds him, even now.
"I love coach Hansen to this day," said Nelson. "We still keep in contact. He's one of the best coaches I've ever had, and I really appreciate everything he ever did for me. He tells me to keep plugging away and don't ever give up. Do everything you have to do and you will end up at the school you want to end up at. He's a good guy to keep in touch with."
Nelson is scheduled to take part in Rutgers' bowl game practice tomorrow morning. The Scarlet Knights will face off against Virginia Tech in the Russell Athletic Bowl in Orlando on Dec. 28.
"I'll be at Rutgers in the morning, around 9," said Nelson. "They told me it was an invite-only visit for the bowl practice and I needed to come up and spend the day up there."
The powerful edge-rusher has been in constant contact with the Rutgers staff and, according to Nelson, there is a chance that an offer could be coming in the near future.
"For the most part, everyday I talk to coach (Dave) Cohen. He comes to my school a lot so we communicate on the regular. He just tells me Rutgers is really interested in me and to stay on top of my grades.
"And he tells me that the offer is coming soon," Nelson continued. "I appreciate him for that. I'm working hard, I just want that Rutgers offer to roll in."
Although offer-less at this point due to grades Nelson accrued as a freshman at St. Peter's Prep, multiple schools have displayed intense interest in the stud defender. If not for a rough academic start, Nelson would undoubtedly be one of the most sought-after recruits in the northeast.
He has put in the effort to turn things around academically, and he has been successful in doing so. Nelson now bolsters a 2.8 grade point average and is looking to continue to improve upon that even more so.
"My freshman year wasn't the greatest, but I'm picking it up though. I have a tutor that I see three times a week," Nelson said. "I also took extra classes last summer to improve my GPA, and it helped me out a lot.
"I'm more focused now, I know what's on the table. Freshman year, I thought I was the man. I thought I was big, thought I was strong. I wasn't focused. But now I know what I have to do, and I'm doing it to the best of my ability."
Due to his improving academic performance, representatives from Michigan State, Miami (Fla.), Boston College, UConn, Miami, West Virginia, Pitt, Penn State and Georgia Tech have all been to DePaul Catholic to visit Nelson.
"I'm dealing with college coaches everyday whether it be through mail, on the phone or they come to my school," he said.
Of all the schools recruiting him, Nelson believes that Rutgers, Maryland and Pitt are closest to offering, but he holds the possibility of attaining a Rutgers tender dearest to his heart.
"If Rutgers were to offer me, that would be the best feeling in the world. I'd go home and hug my father. I'd probably be in tears if I get an offer from Rutgers because all the hard work I've put in will have paid off," Nelson said.
Nelson claims that Rutgers is his favorite school followed by Michigan State, Miami (Fla.) and Pitt, all of which have displayed serious interest. The Scarlet Knights are currently in the lead for his services due to the relationship Nelson has developed early on with the coaching staff.
"I really like the coaching staff," said Nelson. "When I talk to them, they seem interested more in me as a person than as a player. They ask me how my family is doing and how I'm doing in school.
"They talk to me about football, but not as much as they talk about regular stuff and I really like that. And I feel like I can see myself there one day playing for those coaches. I really like the atmosphere at Rutgers and their games. I like them a lot."
Follow me on Twitter @TodderickHunt
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