Nelson grew up in Ainsworth, Nebraska and attended Ainsworth High School, where he played basketball, eight-man football, and competed in track and field.[2] As a senior he caught 32 passes for 658 yards and 14 touchdowns while also rushing for 1,148 yards and 19 touchdowns and recording 80 tackles with three interceptions on defense.[3] After the season Nelson played in the 2024 All-American Bowl, which was the first 11-man football game he had played in.[4] He was also a first-team all-state selection in basketball after averaging 16.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, 5.4 assists, and 3.1 blocks per game and won the Class C state championship in long jump.[5][6]
Nelson was rated a four-star recruit and one of the top tight end prospects in the 2024 recruiting class.[7] He committed to play college football at Nebraska over offers from Georgia, Notre Dame, and Penn State.[8]
College career
Nelson was moved to wide receiver from tight end during Nebraska's preseason practices as a freshman.[9] He made his college debut in the Cornhuskers' season opener against UTEP and caught three passes for 21 yards in a 40-7 win.[10] Nelson scored his first career touchdown on a 24-yard reception in Nebraska's 34-3 win over Northern Iowa during Week Three.[11]