Reggie Nelson

Infobox NFLactive
name=Reggie "Freakin" Nelson


width=200
caption=
currentteam=Jacksonville Jaguars
currentnumber=25
currentpositionplain=Safety
birthdate=birth date and age|1983|9|21
birthplace=Melbourne, Florida
country=USA
heightft=5
heightin=11
weight=198
debutyear=2007
debutteam=Jacksonville Jaguars
highlights=
* Consensus First-team All-SEC (2006)
* Consensus First-team All-American (2006)
* Bronko Nagurski Trophy finalist (2006)
* Jim Thorpe Award finalist (2006)
college=Florida
draftyear=2007
draftround=1
draftpick=21
pastteams=
* Jacksonville Jaguars (2007-present)
nfl=NEL617002

Reggie "Freakin" Nelson a.k.a. "The Eraser," (born September 21, 1983) is an American football player with the Jacksonville Jaguars. He played college football for the Florida Gators, where he was a first team All-American free safety. He was drafted by the Jaguars with the 21st overall pick of the 2007 NFL Draft.

College career

Straight Stuntin'. Reggie graduated from Palm Bay High School in 2003. Reggie was a two-time First-Team All-State honoree in 2002 and 2003. He also helped lead Palm Bay to the Class 4A State Championship in 2002. [ [http://www.gatorzone.com/football/bios.php?year=2005&sub=team&bio=nelson_r.html University of Florida Athletics ***GatorZone.com*** ] ] After attending Palm Bay High School in Melbourne, FL, Nelson and teammate Joe Cohen chose to attend University of Florida over rival Florida State. He ended up redshirting a year at Coffeyville Junior College first, then earned his degree and transferred to Florida as a sophomore.

He was an immediate starter for the Gators at free safety in the 2005 season. Nelson started against Georgia, Vanderbilt, South Carolina, and Florida State. Nelson registered 46 tackles, second-team with four sacks, and forced a fumble. Against Georgia, Nelson recorded a career-high seven tackles. Also totaled seven tackles against Vanderbilt and FSU.

In his junior year, which would end up being his last as a Gator, Nelson was selected as a member of the Leadership Committee, which was only a small highlight of his 2006 campaign. The Gators ended up going to the National Championship and won it against Ohio State, while Nelson recorded 51 tackles,5 pass breakups and six interceptions. Two interceptions were against Tennessee, and another was returned for a 70-yard touchdown against Alabama. Nelson also recovered a fumble against Alabama.

In 2006 he was part a defense that helped the Gators win their first SEC title in six years and their first National Championship in ten years. At a home basketball game the night after the Championship win, Reggie received a standing ovation while the audience chanted his name and then "One More Year". [http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061122/SPORTS/611220368]

NFL career

Nelson was selected by the Jaguars in the first round (21st overall) of the 2007 NFL Draft. After the departure of free safety Deon Grant via free agency and release of strong safety Donovin Darius, Nelson lead the Jaguars with seven tackles in their season opener against the Tennessee Titans in his first NFL game. He also sacked Tennessee quarterback Vince Young, causing a forced fumble.

He ended the year with 63 tackles, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble and 5 interceptions. His 5 interceptions total is tied with Leon Hall for most among rookies during the 2007 NFL season.

Personal Notes

Reggie's sister, Lynisha, is a star basketball player for Florida Tech. Reggie's brother, Demonte, is a track star at Buford High School in Georgia.

Reggie's mother, Mary Lakes, who had breast cancer for several years, died on December 22nd, 2006, a week before the national championship game. Members of each team participating in the game are required to talk to the media during the day leading up to the game. The NCAA let Nelson skip these meetings due to her death. [http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/college/orl-colbeat2306dec23,0,949827.story?track=rss]

References

External links

* [http://www.reggienelson25.com Official Web site]
* [http://www.gatorzone.com/football/bios.php?year=2005%E2%8A%82=team&bio=nelson_r.html Florida Gators bio]
* [http://www.jaguars.com/Team/Player.aspx?id=2717 Jacksonville Jaguars bio]