Brett Nelson, a 6-3, 290-pound offensive lineman from Laguna Niguel, Calif., has signed a national football letter of intent with Illinois State. He played the last two seasons at Saddleback (Calif.) Community College and has two years of eligibility remaining.
Brett is a young man who will come in here, compete for a starting job and give us some much needed depth along our offensive line, said ISU head coach Denver Johnson. He went on a Mormon mission to South America so hes a little older than the average junior college recruit. Hes a thick, strong, tough kid who will be a good addition to our program.
At Saddleback, Nelson, 22, earned All-Mission Conference honors as a sophomore, playing in what he called a balanced offensive scheme.
Nelson attended Aliso Niguel High School in Aliso Viejo, Calif. He was a first-team All-Pacific Coast League selection as a senior when he captained h is team to a 14-0 mark.
Nelson, whose Mormon mission was to Argentina following his senior year of high school, could play any of the line positions, according to Johnson, but has a favorite.
I like guard, Nelson said. My freshman year at Saddleback I played all five line positions, but I really like playing guard.
Nelson will report to the Illinois State campus August 3 with the other Redbird newcomers. Practices begin Aug. 10.
