Makes you wonder if he got some bad advice to head to the NFL instead of returning for another year...
Garrett Nelson not invited to the Combine
- Thread starter East-Coast-Sker
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I love that he loves Nebraska and played as hard as he could, but can’t say I’m surprised at all by that.
Unless he has signed with an agent, he could come back. And even if he has signed, there are still circumstances under which he would retain his eligibility.It's not too late.
That said, this doesn't surprise me. I love the kid, his motor and his affinity for Dear Old Nebraska U, but to this completely untrained eye he doesn't look at all to be a guaranteed pro. I hope he makes it and kicks tail, but ya gotta wonder
Agree with all of this. He was a good player for a bunch of teams that didn't go to a bowl game. I think that we've been so bad for so long that we've started thinking players are better then they are.
If he played for Iowa or Minnesota all of us would say he's a mediocre player. He was on a bad team that didnt have any success getting after opposing QBs last year. I hope he proves me wrong but I'm thinking day 3 pick or UDFA who will struggle to make a roster.
The B1G coaches thought enough of him to name him 2nd team All B1G defensive lineman. Also 2nd team = Joe Evans, Lukas Van Ness, Seth Benson & Riley Moss, Iowa; JT Tuimoloau OSU; Cal Haladay, MSU; Abdul Carter, PSU; Sydney Brown & Jartavius Martin, IL; Tyler Nubin, MN. That's some pretty good company. I guess the coaches think he's better than he really is & think these other guys are also better than they really are. I don't know if he'll get drafted but, imo, that will be because of NFL measurables & not the measure of his heart.
Nelson finished with 5.5 sacks in conference play which tied him for 8th in the league, just behind the 2 IA lineman at 6.5. He had 5 sacks in conference play in 2021 which was the same as Karlaftis from Purdue.
He'll get a chance either way and hopefully he sticks around. I just didn't see a dominant player. He also doesn't have above elite athleticism. I'm trying to think of a recent comparison. Maybe someone like Stoll? Productive but not off the charts. Good athlete but not elite. I think Garrett would be happy with that kind of career.
Nelson said in the interview with Carriker he met with White and Knighton about where he fit in their defense and the discussions were one factor leading him to declare. He didn't say what exactly that meant, but I inferred he was not impressed with their vision of his role. So if he didn't get an agent and he decides to change his mind about the NFL, he might be more inclined to enter the next portal round.
Hmm …. we lost that recruiting battle. While maybe not an nfl star he definitely would have been an asset for us next year.
If he thinks his role was going to suck for us next year wait until he sees what the NFL has in store for him. Punt Block. Kick Return. Camp body.
Palmer, Vovolek, and Mathis all received combine invites. Nelson did not.
Another way to put it: Those that received early development elsewhere made the cut. Those that developed entirely under Frost regime did not.
I’ve been surprised by some former players that had a good NFL career. Maybe Nelson will be one of those guys. If so, I’ll be surprised again.
Another way to put it: Those that received early development elsewhere made the cut. Those that developed entirely under Frost regime did not.
I’ve been surprised by some former players that had a good NFL career. Maybe Nelson will be one of those guys. If so, I’ll be surprised again.
Is there any recent player who ever withdrew their name and returned to school/ the team? It seems though someone didn’t like the way we were headed so now he’ll take a chance on an undrafted contract.
No doubt Garrett will use this as fuel. I don’t know if he can play in the NFL, but I do know that he will give it his absolute best.
Another way to put it is the guys that got combine invites are expected to be NFL level athletes.
Nelson wasn’t going to test well. Even in college, the first couple years here he was considered a tweener. He’s not going to measure well enough or test well enough in the weight room to improve his stock as a DE. Definitely not going to have a 40 good enough to improve his stock as an OLB. Honestly not going to the combine isn’t going to change much for him. He was always going to be a late flier or UDFA guy.
I liked Nelson as a player. Thought he got crapped on too much last year and wished he came back. Good college player, just doesn’t have the elite athleticism that’s required for the NFL.
There’s lots of UDFAs on rosters and playing meaningful roles for their teams. Just a matter of getting into the right camp. The way invites are extended doesn’t preclude the possibility that he would get drafted. There could be a team that already has it in mind to take him if he’s available late.
Kind of a tweener. Would need to go full Alzado with roids and put on 30-40 lbs. That said, I think he’s just done with college. He’ll see if he can squeeze out some training camp money and go on with life. Love the guy.
Just on the small side for a DE in an NFL 4-3. There are DEs on pro team depth charts who run 250-260. The kid has a lot of want, and therefore he has a chance.
I really liked Nelson's attitude and his motor and I wish he would have given one more year to Nebraska. I don't know if it was by mutual agreement that he decided to move on but if it wasn't I think one more year under Rhule's staff he may have really helped himself and the team. jmo
Motor and attitude were great, but constantly being out of position and disappearing in big games or against good talent was a huge problem. He hurt the team a lot, especially early, when he was playing outside of the system. I laud the kid for recognizing it, but I think its a win-win for both sides to move on.
I just think he’s ready to be done with college one way or another. I don’t think money is the decider for him
I don't think anyone ever questioned his heart. That's not enough to get you drafted.
George Karlaftis = 6'4" 260 lbs
Garrett Nelson = 6'4" 245 lbs
Not sure if those are accurate but it's what I found. Both had 5 sacks in B1G play in 2021. Nelson had 5.5 in 2022. Maybe Nelson isn't as big as what it says. As I said before, he may not get drafted because of measurables - but his size & production shouldn't be the issue. Quickness, technique, maybe something else. I think it's too bad he didn't get invited to the combine but he might show enough at the Pro Day to get on someone's radar. Karlaftis had a pretty good season for the Chiefs.
I'm just saying there's a reason he's not much of a draft prospect and it has nothing to do with his heart. He's not "bendy", not powerful enough, not explosive enough, not fast enough to be a speed rusher. He plays hard, no question. If he was even remotely in the same universe as Karlaftis he'd be going to the combine. I hope he succeeds.
Karlaftis also took a ton of doubles, chips and they tried to stay away from him. That dude is a stud. Nelson is a fine player, but he is nowhere near the level of Karlaftis.