Not too long after being reported to be leaving Minnesota, it looks as though quarterback Phillip Nelson has found a new football home within the Big Ten. Nelson will transfer from Minnesota to Rutgers, according to Bruce Feldman of CBSSports.com.
Nelson was first reported to be leaving Minnesota on January 16, and reports of a visit to Rutgers surfaced just a few days ago.
“For me, I am looking to play in a system that centers more around the pass game which utilizes my skill sets,” Nelson through a statement shared by Star Tribune. “I am excited to go out and meet with programs that match up with my talents.”
Rutgers certainly has nowhere to go but up with the quarterback situation. The passing offense of the Scarlet Knights ranked 64th in the country last season with 22 touchdowns and 22 interceptions thrown.
Nelson will have to sit out the 2014 season due to normal NCAA transfer rules. He will be eligible to play for Rutgers in 2015. What is somewhat interesting is Minnesota apparently did not restrict Nelson from transferring elsewhere in the Big Ten the way some schools tend to do when it comes to players transferring elsewhere. Whether Minnesota put any limits on his potential landing spots is unknown, but it is clear the entire Big Ten was not off limits. Rutgers will join the Big Ten over the summer and begin play in the conference in the fall. Rutgers and Minnesota are not scheduled to face each other until 2016, which would be Nelson’s final year of eligibility.
Kansas State, Texas Tech and UCLA were also thought to be potential landing spots for Nelson.