#HoosOnBoard17: Ryan Nelson, OT

Name: Ryan Nelson
Position: OT
Hometown: Buena Park, CA (Buena Park)
247 Composite: 3*, 86.68

Nelson is the highest rated player of Virginia’s pre-Signing Day commits. 247 bumped him up to a 4-star with a 90 rating, pulling his composite up with it. He had offers all up and down the West Coast, from Arizona and ASU to Cal and Washington State.

I really enjoy watching Nelson’s highlights. It’s easy to find him: look for the guy rapidly disappearing out of the frame, and Nelson is the guy who just hit him. He has a tall, long frame (6’6) that should add plenty of muscle in a college strength program (he’s only 260 or so right now). In space, he squares up defenders and takes them out of the play. He could stand to add better initial pop when he engages, and needs to be careful about getting too much weight forward in pass protection with speedier edge rushers.

Welcome to UVA, Ryan!