College career
Nelson signed with the University of Iowa on February 4, 2015. [2] He redshirted during the Hawkeyes historic 2015 season.
As a redshirt freshman at Iowa, Nelson played in all 13 games with one start. He earned Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors after collecting 2.5 sacks in a win over Miami (OH) [3] – his first game as a Hawkeye – and finished the season second on the team in sacks and tackles for loss. Nelson's first career start came in a 42–3 win over in-state rival Iowa State.
During his sophomore season, Nelson started all 13 games and led the team with 7.5 sacks. He also had four pass break-ups, two forced fumbles and a blocked field goal. After the season, Nelson was named third-team All-Big Ten by the media and honorable mention by league coaches. He made several key plays, including two sacks and a forced fumble, to help the Hawkeyes win the 2017 Pinstripe Bowl. [4]
Nelson again started all 13 games as a junior, establishing career bests for sacks (9.5) and tackles for loss (13.5). He was Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week after wins over Minnesota and Nebraska [5] , and recovered a fumble for a touchdown in a shutout win over Maryland. [6] After the season, Nelson was named second-team All-Big Ten by media and third-team by coaches.
Despite having one year of eligibility remaining, Nelson declared for the NFL Draft after his junior season at Iowa. [7] He and former Hawkeye teammate A. J. Epenesa are the only players in school history to finish their careers on the school's top ten sacks list while only playing three years at Iowa.
College statistics
Iowa Hawkeyes |
| Season | Games | Tackles | Sacks | Fumbles |
|---|
| GP | GS | Solo | Ast | Total | TFL | Total | Yards | FF | FR |
|---|
| 2015 |  Redshirt |
|---|
| 2016 | 13 | 1 | 15 | 18 | 33 | 8.0 | 6.0 | 39 | 2 | 0 |
|---|
| 2017 | 13 | 13 | 21 | 20 | 41 | 9.5 | 7.5 | | 2 | 0 |
|---|
| 2018 | 13 | 13 | 23 | 22 | 45 | 13.5 | 9.5 | 63 | 0 | 1 |
|---|
| Totals | 39 | 27 | 59 | 60 | 119 | 31.0 | 23.0 | | 4 | 1 |
|---|
Professional career
Nelson was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the fourth round, 107th overall, of the 2019 NFL draft. [10]
In Week 16 of the 2020 season against the Detroit Lions, Nelson recorded his first career sack on David Blough during the 47–7 win. [11] Nelson was a part of the Super Bowl LV champion Buccaneers. He recorded four solo tackles across the postseason, including one in the Super Bowl. [12] [13] [14]
On March 16, 2023, Nelson signed a two-year contract extension with the Buccaneers. [15]
On March 11, 2025, Nelson re-signed with Tampa Bay on a two-year, $10 million contract. [16] In Week 8, Nelson intercepted a pass from Spencer Rattler and returned it for a three-yard touchdown. He also recorded two sacks and a forced fumble in the 23-3 win over the New Orleans Saints, earning NFC Defensive Player of the Week. [17]
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