Located in the heart of Texas is Dallas, TX, what some people call the best high school football in the country, and where Corey Nelson started his football career. Nelson was a little different than other players who are now in the NFL in that people didn’t know how good he was until he got to Skyline High School.
“He came in as a unknown kid. But his work ethic and play making ability made the entire staff learn his name.” said Jason Todd, Skyline’s Defensive Coordinator from 2005-2014.
Nelson started as a sophomore in high school at defensive end at 170 pounds. That year and his junior year he made 1st Team All-State. He ranked as a five-star recruit by Scout.com and a four-star recruit by ESPN and Rivals.com. Nelson was named first team All-American by MaxPreps.com, with 133 tackles, 9 sacks and 16 tackles for a loss. He was an Under Armour All-American and the AP 5A Defensive Player of the Year his senior year.
“What stood out to me the most was how upbeat he was everyday at practice. I have coached a lot of kids but he never had a day where he wasn’t into being at practice and his motor ran 100mph.” said Jason Todd
Nelson went to the University of Oklahoma out of high school. He played all 14 games on special teams his freshman year but didn’t really get going until his sophomore year. He received honorable mention AP All-Big 12 and Academic All-Big 12 first team. His junior year he fell off a little bit again but he got Academic All-Big 12 second team. Then in his senior year he got up to 27 tackles, with 3 tackles for a loss, 1 interception, 1 pass broken up, and a sack in five games then a torn pectoral muscle ended his season in October of 2013.
After his injury he didn’t think he was going to be drafted at all so he finished his communication degree at OU. Then he recovered completely from the pectoral injury in the offseason in time to show off his skills on his Pro Day.
“I give God all the glory for that. I ran a 4.64. I weighed in at 231. I bench pressed 225 pounds 23 times, which is outstanding coming off the injury that I had, so I showed that I’m back to 100 percent and I can compete while getting stronger.” Nelson told Scout.com.
In the 2014 draft he was selected in the 7th round by the Denver Broncos. In his rookie season he had 17 tackles and this year so far he has 16 tackles and 1 sack.
“The city of Dallas stands behind Corey Nelson and he does come back always asking if anything he can do for the kids. I pray that when my son grows up he models himself after Corey. He was a 7th round pick for the NFL but he a 1st round pick in life.” said Jason Todd
Corey Nelson’s storied journey from the heart of Texas to the Mile-high city has been a great one. We know for certain that Texas, and especially the town of Dallas is looking forward to the rest of the ride.
