Jonathan Nelson 5'11" 198
FS/CB, Oklahoma
Biography/Honors:
2010: Started 14 games at strong safety. 102 tackles, 7 pass breakups, 2 INTs, 3 tackles for loss and 2 forced fumbles.
2009: All-Big 12 or maybe 10 honorable mention and second-team Academic all-conference. Played all 13 games, started 2 at strong safety and one at corner. 46 tackles, 2 pass breakups, 3 INTs, a sack and a forced fumble.
2008: Played in four games with seven tackles.
2007: Played in two games.
Academics: Majored in accounting.
Injuries:
2010: Had concussion against Oklahoma State. PFW reports he injured a shoulder in that game.
2008: Missed all but four games due to torn MCL.
2007: Missed all but two games due to wrist surgery.
2006: Redshirted his freshman year due to pulled hamstring.
Pro Day Stats (not invited to NFL Combine):
22 bench presses at 225 pounds. Sat rest of pro day out due to quad injury.
Private workout results: 4.4 40-yard dash, would have been top-5 time for DBs at Combine
43.0 vertical jump, would have been best at Combine at any position
11'4" broad jump, would also have been best at Combine at any position
Positives
Explosive athlete and great leaper. Quick feet and good balance. Moves like a corner. Good range. Can play corner, safety, special teams. Played well at the East-West Shrine Game. Plays with hustle. Fine character. Does a lot of charity work with at-risk children. Produced well on the field and has upside.
Negatives
Durabilty a significant issue. Average size with short arms. Needs to get stronger. Absorbs too much contact and can get run over. Grab-and-drag tackler who has to hold on till help comes. Finesse player who doesn't show a lot of fire. Lacks elite closing speed and instincts. Often gets there a step late. Fails to, as they say, "trust what you see."
Compares to:
David Roach. Roach was one of the top leapers at the 2008 Combine and came into the league with concerns about his tackling, instincts and durability.
Fun Facts:
Besides being able to play corner, safety and special teams, the versatile Nelson mentors middle school students, and claimed he was the OU football team's best chess, dominoes and pool player.