Nelson excited about opportunity at Iowa
Waukee defensive end Nathan Nelson will be living his dream this fall when he suits up for the Iowa Hawkeyes after accepting their walk-on offer earlier in the week. We caught up with the 6-foot-4, 230-pound Nelson to discuss the opportunity and more.
Q: Why did you end up picking Iowa?
NELSON: I picked Iowa because it felt like home and the coaches were a big reason. Being able to be coached by these guys is an honor.
Q: What other schools were in the picture?
NELSON: Northwest Missouri State was the one I was most considering behind Iowa.
Q: When Iowa offered you the walk-on spot, did you feel that was where you would end up or were you torn in making a decision?
NELSON: At first, I was torn. Then it came back to giving myself the opportunity to compete in the Big Ten and at my dream school.
Q: How does it feel knowing you'll be living that dream this fall?
NELSON: Honestly, it's crazy. I never thought I'd be in the position I am now. I need to just put my head down and work as hard as I can when I step on campus
.Q: Did having your brother at Iowa help the decision at all?
NELSON: It helped because I could know all the inside stuff about the program. He also was super supportive in any of the options and let me decide for myself.
Q: What was the bigger Hawkeye influence, your brother or dad?
NELSON: They both influenced me, but at the end of the, day they both wanted me happy and to be at a place I wanted to spend five years at. They really pushed me to look at all options and make an informed decision.
Q: How critical were the coaches at Iowa in your final decision?
NELSON: They were a big part. I just wanted to go somewhere that wanted me and felt like home. Iowa was that place.
Q: What coach did you commit to and what was the reaction of the staff?
NELSON: I first called Coach Bell and he was really excited. Right after that, I called Coach Morgan and he said that it was awesome and knew I would fit in with the guys.
Q: Where do they see you playing and what have they said about you fitting in their system?
NELSON: They said starting out, I’ll be at DE. If I get too big, then (they will move me) down to DT. They even talked a little bit about playing center, but said it was up to me.
Q: Do you have a position preference?
NELSON: No.Q: How did your official go this last weekend?
NELSON: It went really well. It was just on Saturday because I had a basketball game on Friday.
Q: How much did the trip help in your final decision?
NELSON: It helped a lot and just being up there, I got the feeling that it was home. That's when I knew I was going to make my decision to be a Hawkeye.
Q: Did you learn anything about Iowa during the visit?
NELSON: Just got a lot of reassurance in the stuff I already knew.
Q: What areas did you receive the biggest reassurance in?
NELSON: I actually learned a lot from the player panel of walk-ons. They just described how when you step on campus no one treats you any different.
Q: What are your plans to get ready for the college level?
NELSON: Just listen to any advice my brother has to give me with lifting and running drills. Iowa said they would send out a workout book after February 7th.
As a senior, Nelson finished with 37 tackles, 7.5 TFL, and 4.5 sacks this past season.
See highlights from Nelson's senior year at Waukee in the video below.
Iowa's Class of 2018 walk-ons:
Colton Dinsdale- 6-foot-0, 212-pound LB from Reinbeck, IA (Iowa Western)
Nick Anderson- 6-foot-3, 230-pound LB from Waukee, IA (Iowa Western)
Matt Fagan- 6-foot-5, 265-pound OL from Council Bluffs, IA (St. Albert)
Turner Pallissard- 6-foot-2, 220-pound FB from Frankfort, IL (Lincoln-Way East)
Blair Brooks- 6-foot-3, 190-pound WR from Marion, IA (Marion)
Connor Ruth- 6-foot-0, 215-pound FB from Seward, NE (Seward)
Kordell Stillmunkes- 5-foot-9, 180-pound WR from Cuba City, WI (Cuba City)
Luke Empen- 6-foot-7, 230-pound TE from Goose Lake, IA (Northeast)
Mitchell Riggs- 6-foot-2, 215-pound LB from West Des Moines, IA (Dowling)
Kyle Sorensen- 6-foot-6, 250-pound OL from Waukee, IA (Waukee)
Nathan Nelson- 6-foot-4, 230-pound DE from Waukee, IA (Waukee)