OUTLOOK: A returning starter at safety, Nelson is expected to start at outside linebacker in 2010. He has 14 starts for his career with seven in each of the last two seasons. His career totals include 112 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and six sacks. He started for the Red team in the Red-White Spring Game and had five tackles with one pass broken up. He had one tackle in the April 3 scrimmage, seven with a two-yard tackle for loss on April 9 and four with a one-yard TFL and a PBU on April 16.

2009: He played in all 13 games as a safety with seven starts against Texas A&M, Auburn, Ole Miss, Troy, Mississippi State, LSU and East Carolina in the Liberty Bowl. He was third on the team overall and second among defensive backs with 74 tackles. He led the team with 13 special teams tackles. Against No. 17 Auburn, he had 10 tackles with three for losses of 21 yards, including a 15-yard sack. He also forced a fumble. He had a season-high 12 tackles against Troy, including a one-yard TFL and two passes broken up. In the Liberty Bowl victory over East Carolina, he had five tackles, including an eight-yard sack, and recovered a fumble. He had six tackles with a half TFL in the opener against Missouri State. He followed with seven stops against Georgia, four at Alabama and three against Texas A&M. He had four with a one-yard TFL and a 39-yard interception return at Ole Miss. He had two tackles against Eastern Michigan, three against South Carolina and eight with a quarterback hurry against Mississippi State.

2008: He started the first six games of his career, made one other start and played in 10 games total as a true freshman. He finished with 35 tackles, including 3.5 sacks and 4.0 tackles for loss. He was third on the team and led the secondary with the 3.5 sacks. He also had six quarterback hurries and a pass breakup. In his first game, a start against Western Illinois, he had five tackles with a one-yard sack and a hurry. The next week against Louisiana-Monroe, he had four tackles and two hurries. He had one assisted tackle against Alabama, but it was a six-yard sack. He had five tackles, all solo stops, and two hurries at Texas. He followed with five more tackles and a hurry against Florida. At Auburn, he had one tackle and one pass breakup. He made four tackles with a half TFL for one yard. He had another four tackles against Ole Miss. At Mississippi State, he had three stops, including a half sack for three yards. He finished the year with a season-high six tackles in the win over LSU, including 1.5 sacks for six yards.

HIGH SCHOOL: During his senior season, he rushed for over 1,100 yards and scored 22 touchdowns for Coach Steve Robicheaux. He was ranked as the No. 23 player at the athlete position in the nation and the No. 9 overall prospect in the state of Louisiana by Rivals. He was rated as the No. 51 running back in the nation by Scout. He was also recruited by Miami, Auburn, Florida, Ole Miss and Georgia Tech.

PERSONAL: Born Sept. 19, 1989, he is the son of Sheryl Lee and Leo Nelson, Jr. He is enrolled in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences.