Nelson - An unbiased and (actually) researched answer
in a word i would say average
I know this post looks long, but please read it and think about my points.
ECU should be excited and hopeful. After two years at the U of M, Nelson has a lot to prove and a fresh start. He was a huge recruit for the Gophers and was Mr. Football for the state of Minnesota -- and that wasn't by mistake or luck. He earned it through hard work (football camps, workouts, leadership, etc.). His commitment to the U of M led to other highly-touted recruits committing to the maroon and gold which revitalized the program. Prior to Nelson joining the squad, the program was in shambles and the team hadn't been to a bowl game since 2009. Yes, Kill and the program's newfound dedication to success was also a significant factor in the turnaround, but without Philip committing, who knows if other players would have gone to the Gophers (i.e. Maxx Williams)?
As far as the recruiting process goes, Nelson had numerous offers/interest from better colleges (i.e. Wisconsin and Nebraska). Wishing to stay loyal to the state that he carved out his illustrious HS career in, Nelson chose the Gophers. He could've easily followed in his father's footsteps and gone to Madison, but he didn't. Heavily recruited by Kill and Limegrover (and I mean HEAVILY as evidenced by Limegrover crying tears of joy once Nelson committed to the program), Nelson was on the up and up and so was the program.
Some of you question his skill, his mental toughness, and his leadership. You want to talk about those attributes? Let's examine three crucial items below: (1) Leaving HS early, (2) First career start(s), and (3) Coach Kill's seizures...
1) Nelson left HS early (leaving behind friends and family) to go to the U. Are people seriously questioning his attitude? That's commitment and dedication right there. The kid was barely 18, in unfamiliar territory with a new coaching staff, and the weight of the world on his shoulders. Anyone in this thread think they could go to two-a-days as an 18 year-old at the D1 level with a bunch of experienced vets and hold their own? Didn't think so. Nelson went to the U and was a quiet leader from day one (unlike Mitch Liedner who always calls attention to himself in the papers). His teammates said so. His coaches said so. Go back and read the articles from the Star Tribune. Don't question Nelson's attitude if you don't know what was going on behind the scenes. You all only saw what was on the field. That's a small fraction of what actually occurs on a daily basis.
2) Nelson's redshirt was lifted against the Badgers halfway through that first season as Marquis Grey was ineffective at QB. In his first game, Nelson tossed 2 TDs and 2 INTs. Excellent for his first start as a true freshmen against a powerhouse team behind a porous offensive line and with limited talent around him (starting RB was Kirkwood - woof - and starting WR was Barker - meh). Nelson was the leading rusher for the game, he made good adjustments at the line, and he went toe-to-toe with Montee Ball, Jared Abrederris, and Chris Borland in front of 80,000 fans in enemy territory. Again, if you think this guy is mentally weak or is a "headcase," you are kidding yourself and don't understand the meanings of those words.
3) Finally, not only did Philip commit to a struggling school and remain loyal to the state of Minnesota and leave HS early, as well as produce as a true freshman, but he also had to deal with Coach Kill's seizures. Can you imagine being in the middle of an intense game and your coach is lying on the ground unconscious? That happened MULTIPLE times. The players were worried, knocked off their game, and a new play-caller would have to step in and work with Philip. Guaranteed no other 18-year-old had to deal with that. And for Nelson to go 2-2 in his first four starts with 615 yards passing, 6 TDs, and 2 INTs is nothing short of a miracle. The fact the Gophers got into a bowl game with a true freshman, a team limited in talent, and an ill head coach is amazing. Respect that. Don't have unrealistic standards. This is just a game of football, not the be-all, end-all of life. Have fun, respect that kids, and watch the game.
So, overall, Nelson was thrust into a starting role for a program in flux with a head coach constantly battling an illness. He had his redshirt lifted halfway through the season and played with guys limited in skill. Nelson should've been holding the clipboard that first season, but with the pressure to succeed, Kill lifted the redshirt and Nelson had to instead hold his own and lead a school to victory. He did just that. It doesn't matter what happened in the bowl game that year. Gopher fans should've just been happy they were getting bonus football for the first time in years. The team nearly won and Nelson tossed two TDs. It's clear that as a freshman, Nelson could lead and win. What else would you want in a QB, ECU?
Nelson's sophomore season was turbulent. A hot start to the non-conference season soon gave way to concussions and hamstring injuries limiting him in games against Western Illinois and Iowa. He didn't even play against San Jose State and Michigan. Nelson, and the ream, were in the lowest of lows when they played at the Big House. Against the Wolverines, Leidner started. The result? A 42-13 loss where Leidner tossed a pick six and fumbled. The next game against Northwestern, Leidner was yanked. Nelson, now fully healed, came in and tossed a TD, managed the offense, and the Gophers won the game. This was a HUGE turning point in the season. If the Gophers lost that game, the season would've been hopeless. They'd be on a three-game losing streak with their head coach on indefinite leave with his seizures and Leidner at QB. Instead, Nelson's heroics led to a four-game winning streak with wins over Northwestern, Nebraska, Indiana, and Penn State as he threw for 748 yards, 7 TDs, and zero INTs in that span. THIS IS THE REAL PHILIP NELSON. ECU, YOU SHOULD BE EXCITED.
The last three games of that season were tough. Nelson was pulled, Leidner was in but ineffective (except the bowl game), David Cobb cooled off, the defense looked tired, the coaches were rumored to be fighting over play calls and players...
Soon after the bowl game, Nelson decided to transfer to Rutgers. There was dissension between the coaching staff. Half of them wanted Nelson to start, the other half wanted Leidner. It was a confusing and frustrating time. His confidence was pierced. Did Nelson not save the season with that four-game winning streak where he was nearly perfect in conference play? I'm sure he felt abandoned when he had some tough play toward the end of the season. Maybe all he needed was a boost of confidence from the coaches. Instead it's rumored Limegrover had an agenda to get Leidner to be the starter and verbally bullied Nelson.
But Nelson, nonetheless, got the Gophers to a second bowl game in his two years with the program. Now Kill/Limegrover announce the starting job is open once the season came to a close? That would hurt anyone. At that point it isn't even ego or pride on the line. That's a player who gave everything he had to the Gophers and after a couple poor performances was given zero credit. Like it never happened. So a transfer to a pass-oriented Rutgers team was appropriate. Nelson did not abandon the U, the U abandoned Nelson. It certainly wasn't quitting or mental weakness.
But before Nelson's career at Rutgers could get underway, he was involved in a street-brawl. Reading through this thread I think most commenters are confused as to what happened and who did what. If you watch the video, read the testimonies, and followed the trial, Isaac Kolstad was the aggressor. He sucker-punched Nelson in the back of the head and sent him sprawling to the pavement where Nelson hit his head. Keep in mind that Nelson is 6'2'' and 230 lbs so sending him to the ground meant it was a hard hit. Nelson was immediately concussed (as well as previously intoxicated). A third man (not friends with Nelson) punched Kolstad and knocked him out cold. Kolstad's head hit the pavement and caused extreme brain damage. Video shows Nelson making a kicking motion at Kolstad once on the ground but it was proven by three separate and objective medical doctors -- one paid for by the Kolstad's, one paid for by the state, and one paid for by the Nelsons -- that even if Nelson connected with Kolstad's head, he was not the cause of the brain damage. The damage was from the punch by the third man and the resulting fall onto the pavement. Nelson was originally charged (by an over-zealous DA in an election year) with first- and third-degree felonies. By the end of the trial he pled guilty to a fifth-degree misdemeanor. No jail time. That is a far cry from his original charge. And why is that? Because Nelson did not cause the harm to Kolstad or start the fight. Nelson is not a thug. He is not a troubled jock or a vile person. He is a quiet kid who loves football but made a bad decision that night to go out to the bars in his hometown. He learned a lesson and has since been punished. Time to move on people. Kolstad has recovered and can now run, work, and hold his children (even above his head while walking on pavement as shown on his Facebook page). We all wish him well in his recovery but he did start the fight and is now feeling the effects of that. Meanwhile, the third man that punched Kolstad is still awaiting trial.
In conclusion, ECU has an extremely-skilled player on their roster in Philip Nelson. He has experience, an unparalleled work ethic, he has been humbled, and he has fought tooth and nail to get where he is today. Given a chance, I think he will succeed and lead ECU. Whether that is this year or next year, we will have to wait and see. In the meantime, just enjoy football and root hard.
