South Alabama was supposed to be the place quarterback Philip Nelson would attempt to get back on track on the college football field, but that will no longer be the case. Nelson will not be a part of the South Alabama football program this fall, which means he is still searching for another football program (his third in two years) to give him a chance at a fresh start.
In response to a requested status update from The Star Tribune, South Alabama Athletics Director Brian Fremund told the Minnesota paper “he will not be a member of the University of South Alabama football program. He remains a recruitable student-athlete, however, so no further comment may be made by members of the athletic department and coaching staff at this time.”
Nelson was arrested in May of 2014 due to his connection in an assault in a Minnesota bar. The incident left former Division 2 football player Isaac Kolstad in critical condition at the time. Nelson transferred to Rutgers in January of 2014 and dismissed shortly after being charged for his involvement in the bar fight. Nelson pleaded guilty to lesser charges and was sentenced to 100 hours of community service.