Honors & Awards
» Tom Osborne Citizenship Team (2017)
Jordan Nelson played a key role on special teams in his final three seasons at Nebraska, including working on the top kickoff return team in both 2015 and 2016. The 5-8, 180-pound Nelson had 11 kickoff returns in his final two seasons and also provided depth in the backfield for the Huskers.
A walk-on from Omaha Burke High School, Nelson showed the versatility to play both running back and receiver early in his Nebraska career, before setting at I-back the past two seasons. Nelson earned his degree in journalism in August of 2017.
2016 (Senior)
Nelson was on Nebraska's top kickoff return unit and played in all 13 games. He had seven returns for 157 yards, an average of 22.4 yards per attempt. Nelson had a career-long 45-yard return against Wyoming, and had three returns for 52 yards against Iowa. He added depth in the backfield, but did not have a carry.
2015 (Junior)
Nelson played in all 13 games and was one of Nebraska's top kickoff returners. Nelson had four kickoff returns for 69 yards, with a pair of 22-yard returns at Illinois. Nelson added depth at I-back, but did not have a carry.
2014 (Sophomore)
Nelson played in 12 games, seeing work at I-back as well as on the kickoff coverage unit. He rushed 13 times for 74 yards, an average of 5.7 yards per carry. He had five carries for 32 yards against Florida Atlantic, helping NU rush for 498 yards. Nelson had five carries for 35 yards against Illinois, and had one carry for four yards against Purdue. He ranked among the team leaders in coverage tackles, with seven stops on kickoffs, including three solo tackles.
2013 (Redshirt Freshman)
Nelson added depth at receiver in 2013, but did not play in a game.
2012 (Redshirt)
Nelson redshirted in 2012.
Before Nebraska (Burke HS)
Nelson starred for Burke High School in 2011, when he helped the Bulldogs reach the Class A state championship game. Nelson set the school single-season rushing record with 1,791 yards and had 13 touchdowns, earning him a spot on the Lincoln Journal Star Super State team. Nelson also caught 25 passes for 700 yards and eight touchdowns, averaging 28.0 yards per reception.
Nelson competed in track and field, placing in four events at the state track and field championships. Nelson was selected to participate in the 2012 Nebraska Shrine Bowl. The All-Nebraska running back and honorary captain of the World-Herald all-metro team chose to walk on over scholarship offers from several Division II programs.
Personal
The son of Ray and Tammy Nelson, Jordan was born on Dec. 13, 1993. He is majoring in journalism, and has volunteered his time with Uplifting Athletes, Husker Heroes, Husker Hotline and local rec center visits. He earned a spot on the Tom Osborne Citizenship Team in 2017.
Career Stats
» Games Played– 38 (12 in 2014, 13 in 2015, 13 in 2016)
» Rushing– 13 carries, 74 yards (all in 2014)
» Tackles– 3 UT, 4 AT, 7 TT (all in 2014)
» Kickoff Returns– 11 returns, 226 yards, 20.5 average, long-45 vs. Wyoming, 2016; 4 returns, 69 yards, 17.2 average, long-22, in 2015, 7 returns, 157 yards, 22.4 average, long-45 in 2016