After a redshirt season, Quenton Nelson is ready to play. Jumping to the head of the line at a crowded (and talented) position, Nelson is taking his five-star pedigree and bringing it to the starting lineup.
Or at least that’s the current plan. But after a spring spent leading the way at left guard, Nelson is in the driver’s seat to start between Ronnie Stanley and Nick Martin, a first-year contributor sandwiched between two of college football’s best at their position. A mauling guard who already possesses the strength of an NFL lineman, we’ll see if there are growing pains at a key position along Harry Hiestand’s offensive line.
Let’s take a closer look at the New Jersey native as he prepares for the unofficial beginning of his college career.
QUENTON NELSON
6’4.5″, 325 lbs.
Sophomore, No. 56, OG
RECRUITING PROFILE
Not many offensive lineman projected better, with Nelson earning a five-star ranking and looked at as a Top 30 player in the country. Nelson was an Army All-American and made waves in San Antonio, not to mention on the internet, when he ripped off 26 reps of 225-pounds on the bench press, better than most lineman at the NFL Scouting Combine.
Nelson had offers from Alabama, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Stanford and just about anywhere else he wanted. But he committed to Notre Dame early and stuck with his pledge.
PLAYING CAREER
Freshman Season (2014): Did not see action.
WHAT WE SAID LAST YEAR
Nailed it, though it looks like Nelson is a guard, while classmate Alex Bars—currently set to platoon with Nelson—is a future tackle once Ronnie Stanley departs for the NFL.
This might not be a popular opinion, but consider me among the few people that don’t want to see Nelson on the field in 2014. Using a year of eligibility, especially when the depth chart looks solid with the current projected starting five, would cheat Notre Dame’s staff out of four full seasons of Nelson, likely played at a very elite level.
Save the year and Nelson enters the spring with the inside track in a crowded group fighting for Lombard’s job, and ready to shift outside to tackle when a job opens up.
Of course, a lot of that depends on how well McGlinchey plays. Or Elmer for that matter. Right now, Ronnie Stanley and Nick Martin feel like the only true “locks” on the line, with Lombard and Elmer likely right behind. Kelly isn’t going to save a year of playing time if he feels like Nelson can help the Irish win now, even if it’ll mean a few bumps along the road as a freshman learning on the job.
Again, the biggest question is how Hiestand keeps all these linemen competitive, happy and productive. And after just six weeks of summer workouts, it looks like the Irish have another star in the making in Quenton Nelson.
FUTURE POTENTIAL
You couldn’t ask for more in a young offensive lineman. Of course, that just means that Nelson has the physical attributes needed to be a very good player. But a lot of offensive line play is between the ears, and we’ll see how quickly Nelson adapts to the demands of the game, and if he finds himself a little too far out over his skis as a first-year player.
That shouldn’t impact the long-term future of Nelson, who has the size and length of a tackle, but the attitude and strength of a guard. As you look to the future, it’s easy to see 2016’s offensive line featuring Nelson next to Bars on the left side, while McGlinchey and Elmer man the right side. That’s a foursome that all profiled to be left tackles that most college programs would love to have.
CRYSTAL BALL
For as good as Nelson can be, he’s still just a redshirt freshman. To that point, I expect a good season, within reason. That means that he’ll likely struggle against elite defenders, with veteran players capable of using Nelson’s aggression against him, and potentially getting the young guard and his body out of position.
Of course, there’s also a good chance that Nelson is as good as advertised. Because he did spend the spring beating out a talented depth chart, and his natural strength and power are absolutely keys to being a great guard in Hiestand’s blocking scheme.
Some guys are born to be offensive linemen. Nelson looks like one of those guys. The chance to be a four-year starter is a rare one. But Nelson seems to be on that trajectory.
No pressure, kid.
THE 2015 IRISH A-to-Z
Josh Adams, RB
Josh Barajas, OLB
Nicky Baratti, S
Alex Bars, OL
Asmar Bilal, OLB
Hunter Bivin, OL
Grant Blankenship, DE
Jonathan Bonner, DE
Miles Boykin, WR
Justin Brent, WR
Greg Bryant, RB
Devin Butler, CB
Jimmy Byrne, OL
Daniel Cage, DL
Amir Carlisle, RB
Nick Coleman, DB
Te’von Coney, LB
Shaun Crawford, DB
Scott Daly, LS
Sheldon Day, DL
Michael Deeb, LB
Micah Dew-Treadway, DL
Steve Elmer, RG
Matthias Farley, DB
Nicco Fertitta, DB
Tarean Folston, RB
Will Fuller, WR
Jarrett Grace, LB
Jalen Guyton, WR
Mark Harrell, OL
Jay Hayes, DL
Mike Heuerman, TE
Kolin Hill, DE
Tristen Hoge, C
Corey Holmes, WR
Chase Hounshell, TE
Torii Hunter, Jr. WR
Alizé Jones, TE
Jarron Jones, DL
DeShone Kizer, QB
Tyler Luatua, TE
Cole Luke, CB
Nick Martin, C
Greer Martini, LB
Jacob Matuska, DL
Mike McGlinchey, OT
Colin McGovern, OL
Peter Mokwuah, DL
John Montelus, OL
Nyles Morgan, LB
Sam Mustipher, OL
