Rated one of the top 10 players in the state by SC Varsity, SC Pigskin Prep and the SC High School Sports Report… #4 player in South Carolina according to Borderwars.com and Rivals.com… #5 player in SC according to the Charlotte Observer… #7 prospect in the state according to Mickey Plyler… PrepStar All-American… SuperPrep and Tom Lemming All-Mid Atlantic Team member… 16th best defensive back in the country according to Rivals.com… one of the top 50 players in the South according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution… CBS Sports All-Southeast Team member in 2002… North-South Game participant… All-District and All-Area from 2000-2002… All-Region and All-State 2001-2002… had 137 tackles, eight sacks, four interceptions and five fumble recoveries… team defensive MVP… four-year letterman in football and weight lifting… All-State weight lifter in 2001 and 2002, and 2002 state champion in the 205lb class… played for Coach Keith Crolley… brother of current Clemson linebacker Roosevelt Nelson… chose Clemson over South Carolina, Georgia and Maryland.

More on Nelson: Nelson was offered by Georgia, Maryland, Tennessee, Duke, Vanderbilt and others. Recruited by Rick Stockstill.

Quoting Nelson: “For a long time I knew where I wanted to go. But I decided to hold out and look around at other schools. Deep down inside I knew I would be at Clemson. I chose Clemson because of the loyalty to me and the others players they have. Also, I have a lot of friends up there. Clemson is like a second home to me. Also, Coach Stockstill has been a great recruiter. He came to me like a friend.”