[lawrence-newsletter]
Nick Nelson began his college career at the University of Hawaii as a three-star cornerback out of Glenarden, Maryland.
After two productive seasons with the Rainbow Warriors in 2014 and 2015, one of the most interesting names out there for a college football team, the defensive back transferred to Wisconsin and redshirted the 2016 season.
During Nelson’s only season in Madison, the 2017 campaign, he was part of one of the most successful teams in school history as coach Paul Chryst led the Badgers to a 13-1 record capped off by a 34-24 Orange Bowl victory against No. 11 Miami.
His presence was pivotal for Jim Leonhard‘s defense that year, one that ranked No. 2 in the nation in yards-allowed-per-game with 262.1 and No. 3 in points-allowed-per-game with just 13.9, as he both led the nation and set the school’s single-season record with 21 pass breakups.
His most notable play came against No. 19 Michigan on November 18 when, in a scoreless game late in the first quarter, he took a punt back for a touchdown and sparked what would become a 24-10 victory against the Wolverines.
The Maryland native finished his one year in Madison with 35 tackles, one tackle-for-loss, again a school-record 21 pass breakups and 24 punt returns for 206 yards and the one return touchdown.
After the season the redshirt junior decided to forgo his senior year and enter the 2018 NFL Draft where he was selected in the fourth round by the then-Oakland Raiders.
The beginning of his Raider career was a slow one with the cornerback only starting in three games as a rookie and logging one pass breakup, one fumble recovery and 20 total tackles.
Nelson was then waived before the 2019 season, re-signed to the Raiders’ practice squad, promoted back to the active roster in December and subsequently placed on injured reserve 13 days later.
Looking forward to 2020, Nelson projects to back up 2019 second round pick Trayvon Mullen at cornerback and receive most of his playing time on special teams.
The path to regular playing time is there for the former Badger, though, as both him and 2020 fourth round pick Amik Robertson will have a shot at battling former undrafted free agent Lamarcus Joyner for snaps at cornerback when the Raiders use a nickel formation, or snaps at one of the two starting corner positions were Mullen or 2020 first round pick Damon Arnette to struggle out of the game
Nelson is currently only signed for the 2020 season so when the time comes for him to receive snaps at corner it’s pivotal he shows the coaching staff what he’s capable of in order to earn another contract with the team.