#22

Nigel Nelson

LB · Arkansas State · Fr. · #22

Returning to Arkansas State for 2026
This season's coverage starts August 26 — check back once kickoff hits.

Nigel Nelson

LB · Arkansas State · Fr · #22

Limited signal — not enough coverage for a story yet.

Career Arc

HS
Recruit
★★★
#1481 national
CFB
College
Arkansas State
2025
NFL
NFL Draft
Not drafted (yet)

2025 snapshot

Season context · Team result + system

2025Arkansas State7-6HC: Butch Jones · Balanced

Career stats

SeasonTeam
2025Arkansas State54211.01.02----
Career54211.01.02----

Signature game

SIGNATURE GAME · Week 16 · 2025

W 34–28

vs Missouri State

6 TOT  ·  3 SOLO  ·  1 PD

Edged out Missouri State at home in a shootout.

How he plays

Play style

Is steady in every phase without a signature trait.

CFB Index positional classification

2026 Outlook

Arkansas State

2026 Depth chart

Projected starter

Linebacker · Arkansas State

Returning around him

  • 59% of 2024 offensive production back (Solid continuity)
  • Transfer portal: -13 net (24 in / 37 out)

2026 Award watch

No preseason watch lists yet (most drop June 15 – July 15)

Arkansas State · Last season: 7-6 · Talent rank #88 · 2026 recruiting class #84

DNA match

Player DNA

Balanced Linebacker

Solid in every phase without a signature dimension.

LB

His 2025 production profile sits closest to Akileis Leroy’s 2021 season.

Florida Atlantic · 2021

#2

Melvin Jordan IV

Oregon State · 2024

69%
#3

Anthony Palano

Washington State · 2025

68%
#4

Tylan McNichols

UAB · 2025

67%
#5

Korey Smith

Middle Tennessee · 2025

65%

Matches Akileis on

Tackle volume
TFL rate
Weight

Differs from Akileis on

PD rate (higher)

Not enough data yet for this comparison.

As a freshman, his production profile tracks closest to Sullivan Schlimgen's freshman season at Washington State (2025).

Washington State · 2025

#2

Anthony Palano

Washington State · 2025

70%
#3
66%
#4

Buddha Garrett

Tulsa · 2024

65%
#5

Chris Jones

Southern Miss · 2024

65%

Matches Sullivan on

TFL rate
Tackle volume
Sack rate

Differs from Sullivan on

Height (lower)

Heisman trajectory

Heisman Trajectory · 2025

Peak #12172

Final rank
#12534
Avg #12494.0
Finalist prob 0%

Peaked at #12172 this season.