The consensus choice as the top prospect in the state of Nebraska, Carter Nelson excelled as a playmaker at Ainsworth High School for Coach Jessiah Owen. Nelson finished his prep career with 128 catches for 2,346 yards and 43 receiving touchdowns and was selected to play in the All-American Bowl as one of the top recruits in the country.
Nelson earned first-team All-Nebraska recognition from the Omaha World-Herald and first-team Super-State honors from the Lincoln Journal Star as a senior, while being the honorary captain of the Class D-2 all-state team by both publications. He caught 32 passes for 658 yards and 14 touchdowns, averaging nearly 21 yards per catch. Nelson also rushed for 1,148 yards and 19 touchdowns on 120 carries and made 80 tackles with three interceptions on defense, helping Ainsworth to a 9-1 record and a state playoff berth.
Nelson was a second-team All-Nebraska selection as a junior when he helped his team to a 9-1 record and the state playoffs. Nelson had 32 catches for 641 yards and 13 touchdowns and rushed for 789 yards and 14 touchdowns. He also played quarterback and threw for 720 yards and 16 touchdowns. On defense, Nelson had 53 tackles and six interceptions.
He played varsity as both a sophomore and freshman, combining for 64 catches for more than 1,000 yards and 16 touchdowns in those two seasons. He also made 34 tackles in each of those seasons.
Away from the football field, Nelson has also been a successful basketball and track athlete. He earned honorable-mention all-state recognition in basketball as a junior while averaging 12.5 points and 7.4 rebounds per game. In track, Nelson won the Class D state high jump as a sophomore with a leap of 6-10, and he followed up by finishing fourth as a junior. He also finished fifth in the state in the pole vault and qualified for state in the discus and the 4x100 relay as a junior.
Nelson is ranked as a composite top 100 overall prospect in the nation and is the No. 1 player in Nebraska by all major recruiting outlets. He is ranked among the nation’s top 10 tight ends, including No. 2 by both 247 Sports and Rivals.com. Nelson has been selected to participate in the All-American Bowl in San Antonio in January.