UConn Basketball player trying for the NFL

hooskins · 04-14-2006, 03:43 PM

I refer to this as the Antonio Gates phenom
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Updated: April 13, 2006, 7:40 PM ET
UConn's Nelson decides to leave hoops for NFL

Associated Press

STORRS, Conn. -- Connecticut basketball player Ed Nelson has decided to pursue a career in the National Football League, playing a sport he hasn't competed in since his freshman year of high school.

The 6-foot-8, 265-pound senior power forward plans to work out for NFL teams April 21 on the UConn campus.

"I have gotten great feedback in the last week that I am an individual that NFL teams could and will be very interested in," Nelson said Thursday. "I am anxious for the chance to show scouts next week that I can help their team in the future."

School officials said Nelson played youth football and played one year of high school football before focusing on basketball full-time.

Nelson's agent, Joe Linta, represents dozens of NFL players and coaches, including linemen Will Shields of the Kansas City Chiefs and Matt Birk of the Minnesota Vikings and Cleveland Browns head coach Romeo Crennel.

"I came up to work out Ed with little expectations and came away convinced that he is an NFL prospect at the tight end position," Linta said. "He is very quick, has outstanding hands and great lower body strength."
Nelson, from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., played 29 games as a reserve for the UConn basketball team after transferring from Georgia Tech, where he was the ACC rookie of the year in 2001-02. He averaged three points and three rebounds per game at Connecticut.

At St. Thomas Aquinas High School, he averaged 26 points and 11 rebounds in his senior year and led the team to the Class 5A state title. He was named Florida Player of the Year for Class 6A-5A-4A by the Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel.

"He clearly has the talent to play basketball at the professional level, but if anyone can make the transition, it's him," UConn basketball coach Jim Calhoun said.

diehardskin2982 · 04-14-2006, 04:24 PM

Jai Williams is also considering the NFL only one in like 500 of these type guy even make it past the camps

FRPLG · 04-14-2006, 04:29 PM

So is Jai Lewis from GMU. 6'7" 285. Sounds like a tightend to me.

hooskins · 04-14-2006, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FRPLG

So is Jai Lewis from GMU. 6'7" 285. Sounds like a tightend to me.

Jai Lewis is way too slow for the NFL. He is really strong, but I do know if his speed would let him matchup well agaisnt the defense.

That Guy · 04-14-2006, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hooskins

Jai Lewis is way too slow for the NFL. He is really strong, but I do know if his speed would let him matchup well agaisnt the defense.

maybe as a blocker or DE?

RTerps2002 · 04-14-2006, 06:55 PM

Nelson is also way to slow

04-14-2006, 03:43 PM	#1
hooskins Most Interesting Man in the World Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Chantilly, VA Age: 37 Posts: 8,606	UConn Basketball player trying for the NFL I refer to this as the Antonio Gates phenom -------------- Updated: April 13, 2006, 7:40 PM ET UConn's Nelson decides to leave hoops for NFL Associated Press STORRS, Conn. -- Connecticut basketball player Ed Nelson has decided to pursue a career in the National Football League, playing a sport he hasn't competed in since his freshman year of high school. The 6-foot-8, 265-pound senior power forward plans to work out for NFL teams April 21 on the UConn campus. "I have gotten great feedback in the last week that I am an individual that NFL teams could and will be very interested in," Nelson said Thursday. "I am anxious for the chance to show scouts next week that I can help their team in the future." School officials said Nelson played youth football and played one year of high school football before focusing on basketball full-time. Nelson's agent, Joe Linta, represents dozens of NFL players and coaches, including linemen Will Shields of the Kansas City Chiefs and Matt Birk of the Minnesota Vikings and Cleveland Browns head coach Romeo Crennel. "I came up to work out Ed with little expectations and came away convinced that he is an NFL prospect at the tight end position," Linta said. "He is very quick, has outstanding hands and great lower body strength." Nelson, from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., played 29 games as a reserve for the UConn basketball team after transferring from Georgia Tech, where he was the ACC rookie of the year in 2001-02. He averaged three points and three rebounds per game at Connecticut. At St. Thomas Aquinas High School, he averaged 26 points and 11 rebounds in his senior year and led the team to the Class 5A state title. He was named Florida Player of the Year for Class 6A-5A-4A by the Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel. "He clearly has the talent to play basketball at the professional level, but if anyone can make the transition, it's him," UConn basketball coach Jim Calhoun said. __________________ Vacancy

04-14-2006, 04:24 PM	#2
diehardskin2982 Another Year, another mess. Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 3,581	Re: UConn Basketball player trying for the NFL Jai Williams is also considering the NFL only one in like 500 of these type guy even make it past the camps __________________ That got ugly fast

04-14-2006, 04:29 PM	#3
FRPLG MVP Join Date: May 2004 Age: 46 Posts: 10,164	Re: UConn Basketball player trying for the NFL So is Jai Lewis from GMU. 6'7" 285. Sounds like a tightend to me.

04-14-2006, 06:55 PM	#6
RTerps2002 Camp Scrub Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: FT Lauderdale Florida Age: 53 Posts: 33	Re: UConn Basketball player trying for the NFL Nelson is also way to slow

UConn Basketball player trying for the NFL

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