Nebraska 4-star TE commit Carter Nelson scores six TDs in season-opener

Ainsworth (Neb.) Nebraska four-star tight end commit Carter Nelson is the prized jewel of the Cornhuskers’ 2024 recruiting class. He pledged to his home-state program over the likes of Notre Dame, Georgia and Penn State on June 28.

“I finally see how they are changing things and they expressed how they were going to use me,” Nelson told Husker Online. “It was what I’m looking for. So having family around and things like that it was a no-brainer decision.”

Nelson is the No. 57 overall prospect, No. 4 tight end and No. 1 player in Nebraska in the 2024 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He’s the second consecutive top-ranked player from the Cornhusker State to pledge to Nebraska, following the footsteps of 2023 top-100 Lincoln East four-star wide receiver Malachi Coleman.

“Nebraska said that they are going to use me to my strength,” Nelson said. “They expressed how they understand how I’ve never played as a true tight end and that they aren’t going to throw me into that spot right away.”

Before Nelson makes the cross-state trek from Ainsworth to Lincoln, he still has business to take care of during his senior season of high school football. He got off to a terrific start last weekend.

In a 68-12 demolition of Bassett (Neb.) North Central, Nelson did it all. According to Husker Online’s commitment stat check, Nelson managed six touchdowns — two rushing, two receiving and even two passing scores. He finished with 363 total yards — 156 receiving, 118 rushing and 89 passing.

“Nelson is the most highly recruited player from Nebraska that I have ever covered,” wrote Husker Online’s Bryan Munson. The talented athlete has the total package of speed, athleticism, and still has so much more potential than where he is currently. He’s worthy of the hype; this season, he will have an excellent chance to demonstrate that to everyone.”

Nebraska’s 2024 recruiting class is No. 22 in the nation, according to the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Ranking. It’s also the No. 6 class in the Big Ten, behind Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State, Oregon and USC. Nelson is the only top-200 recruit in Matt Rhule’s class.

Carter Nelson Scouting Summary

“Tight end prospect with a unique background and one of the stronger athletic profiles among jumbo athletes in the 2024 cycle. Measured at 6-foot-4, 215 pounds with solid length for the position prior to his senior season. Looks to have added some mass during his junior year. Hails from a remote area of north central Nebraska, where he plays 8-man football. Plays all over the field for his high school program, as is the case with most college prospects who play 8-man. Lines up as a quarterback, receiver, tight end, takes direct snaps and plays on defense. Looks like a literal man among boys playing at that level. Shows top end speed and bowls over defenders in the open field. Looks to have considerable burst.

The best athlete on the field by orders of magnitude. Shows the ability to track the football, but pure receiving skills remain a question. Has a sterling multi-sport profile. A bouncy basketball player who lives above the rim. Throws down tomahawk dunks in transition. Also shows his overall coordination, movement skills and spatial awareness on the hardwood. Also a standout over multiple events in track and field. Turned in a personal best throw of 52-3.5 feet in the shot put. Posted a 7-foot high jump as a sophomore. Ran in the 11.2 second range in the 100 meters as a sophomore. All are outstanding marks. A tougher evaluation and projection than many other high school prospects. Will see as big a jump in competition level as you can face in moving to the college game. Does not have verified length or frame measurements. Did not replicate his sprint and jump results as a junior.”

Nelson has an On3 NIL Valuation of $144K. The On3 NIL Valuation is the industry’s leading index that sets high school and college athletes’ projected annual value (PAV). The NIL valuation does not act as a tracker of the value of NIL deals an athlete has completed to date. It rather signifies an athlete’s value at a certain moment in time.