Former Golden Gophers quarterback Philip Nelson is getting a fresh start in college football.
The Star Tribune reports that Nelson will play at South Alabama. He is eligible to compete this fall.
Nelson, Minnesota’s 2011 Mr. Football winner from Mankato West High School, played for the Gophers in 2012 and 2013 before transferring to Rutgers. But his career at Rutgers was over before it started. The University kicked Nelson off the team after he was charged with multiple felonies after being involved in a fight that put former Minnesota State football player Isaac Kolstad in the hospital for months.
Nelson eventually pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor assault charge and was sentenced to community service.
The Journal Star notes that the starting job at South Alabama won’t be handed to Nelson. He’ll likely compete against former University of Alabama-Birmingham quarterback Cody Clements, who threw for more than 2,200 yards with 14 touchdowns and 8 interceptions last season.
Clements transferred to South Alabama after UAB’s football program folded.
