Also the state’s 2020-21 Gatorade Player of the Year as a sophomore, the 6-foot-3, 180-pound senior quarterback passed for 2,898 yards and 35 touchdowns this past season, leading the Griffins (9-3) to the Southern Section Division 1 postseason semifinals. Ranked as the nation’s No.1 recruit in the Class of 2023 by ESPN.com, Nelson is a 2023 Under Armour Next All-America Game invitee. He concluded his prep football career with 7,988 passing yards and 105 touchdowns.
Nelson has maintained a 3.35 GPA in the classroom. Taking advantage of NCAA early signing rules, Nelson inked a financial-aid agreement that paved the way for him to enroll at the University of Southern California. He graduated from high school in December and will attend classes in the spring semester.
Nelson has volunteered locally as a youth football coach, and he has donated a portion of his name, image and likeness agreement compensation to Los Alamitos Pop Warner for equipment, uniforms and player fees.
