After breaking conference records by throwing for 12,007 yards and 102 touchdowns in four years as Winona State University's starting quarterback, Jack Nelson is wondering what's next.
There's no doubt what the Byron High School graduate is hoping to be his next act. It's to fulfill his lifelong desire of playing in the NFL.
"It was a childhood dream of mine," said the 6-foot-4, 235-pounder. "I remember writing it down on a piece of paper as a little kid. It's something I've always wanted to do."
Nelson will have a better idea where his dream stands once this weekend is over. The NFL Draft, which has seven rounds to it, is Thursday-Saturday. Nelson has an outside chance of getting selected in the later rounds.
The stronger possibility is that he goes undrafted, but signs with an NFL team as a free agent. That would happen in the days immediately following the draft. That's the path that Rochester John Marshall graduate Marcus Sherels took in landing with the Vikings, a team he's been with the last seven years.
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Nelson's Winona State coaches believe he has the right stuff for professional football.
"There is no doubt that Jack has the skills to play in the NFL," said Cameron Keller, who worked closely with Nelson as Winona State's offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.
"He's got the arm strength to do it and the skill set already. He is one of those kids who looks like an NFL quarterback that you see on Sundays."
Draftscouts.com lists Nelson as the 49th best quarterback out of the 138 available in this week's NFL Draft.
