Zion Nelson (born January 9, 2001) is an American former college football offensive tackle who played for the Miami Hurricanes from 2019 to 2023.
| No. 60 | |
|---|---|
| Position | Offensive tackle |
| Class | Senior |
| Personal information | |
| Born: | January 9, 2001 Sumter, South Carolina, U.S. |
| Height | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) |
| Weight | 326 lb (148 kg) |
| Career history | |
| College |
|
| High school | Sumter (Sumter, South Carolina) |
Early life
editNelson grew up in Sumter, South Carolina and attended Sumter High School. He was initially rated a two-star recruit and committed to play college football at Appalachian State.[1] Nelson's recruitment picked up during his senior season, in which the Fighting Gamecocks rushed for over 2,000 yards and won 10 games, and he flipped his commitment after a late offer from Miami.[2]
College career
editNelson enrolled joined the Miami Hurricanes as an early enrollee.[3] He was named the starting left tackle for the Hurricanes going into his freshman year after performing well in summer training camp.[4] Nelson started all 13 of Miami's games as a freshman and allowed the most sacks of any starting tackle from a Power Five conference.[5] After initially losing his starting job, Nelson regained his spot as the Hurricanes' starting left tackle for the final six games of his sophomore season.[6]
On July 25, 2024, Nelson announced that he would medically retire from football after multiple knee injuries.[7]
References
edit- ^ "Sumter High's Nelson takes Miami's offer". The Item. December 20, 2018. Retrieved May 5, 2021.
- ^ Wilson, David (December 14, 2018). "Here's everything you need to know about the Miami Hurricanes' newest O-line commit". Miami Herald. Retrieved May 5, 2021.
- ^ "There are 100 pounds more of Zion Nelson to love these days at the University of Miami". Miami Herald. August 7, 2019. Retrieved May 5, 2021.
- ^ Navarro, Manny (May 21, 2019). "The Chronicles of Zion Nelson and the path the freshman left tackle took to the University of Miami". The Athletic. Retrieved May 5, 2021.
- ^ Navarro, Manny (March 25, 2021). "How Miami's Zion Nelson has gone from an overmatched true freshman to a 'first-rounder'". The Athletic. Retrieved May 5, 2021.
- ^ "Miami's Zion Nelson getting early 2022 NFL draft recognition". Sun-Sentinel. April 19, 2021. Retrieved May 5, 2021.
- ^ Benjamin, Marcus (July 25, 2024). "Miami Offensive Lineman Zion Nelson Medically Retires". Rivals.com. Retrieved August 20, 2024.