Nelson gets NFL shot

Posted April 27, 2009 11:00 pm

By Marty Maciaszek

Tom Nelson used to be a Huskie. Now he's hoping to become a Bengal.

The former Hersey football star, who just finished his college career as a safety at Illinois State, signed a free agent contract Sunday night with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Nelson will report Thursday to the Bengals' rookie camp.

"I'm extremely excited for the opportunity and can't wait to get to Cincinnati and compete," Nelson said in a release from Illinois State.

Nelson was all-Missouri Valley Conference three times and was the league's freshman of the year at ISU. This season he led the team in tackles with 81, led the MVC in punt return average at 15.6 yards and was third in the MVC in kickoff return average at 24.7 yards.

The multi-talented Nelson also played quarterback at Hersey and was a Daily Herald All-Area team selection in 2004 when he led the team to a 7-3 record and the Class 7A playoffs.

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