CINCINNATI – It is difficult for someone who never went through a recruitment to understand the excitement when that first offer comes through. For Cincinnati Anderson high school athlete TJ Nelson, that first offer is now in the books and more will be on the way as schools that have been keeping tabs on him know the time to act is fast approaching.
The 6-foot, 190-pounder recently earned an offer from Bowling Green and the moment was something that really blindsided him as a school transfer, impending position change and newness of the entire process all added up to not expecting offer this soon despite being a member of the class of 2024.
“It was kind of surreal because when they invited me up there, they really wanted me up there to see the campus and stuff, but I never expected to ever see my first offer there,” Nelson said.
Nelson spent the early part of his career at Walnut Hills high school and as a quarterback. Upon arriving at Anderson high school, the word was that schools were more interested in looking at Nelson as an athlete so the plan moving forward is to see the talented senior-to-be as a Swiss Army knife, playing receiver, defensive back and return specialist.
“Going into this offseason I am switching positions and I was not really sure how my recruitment was going to go,” Nelson added. “I thought I was not going to get any offers until summer, like at camps. So, when I got that so early, it caught me way off guard, it was a blessing.”
Cincinnati, West Virginia, Ball State, Toledo, Eastern Michigan, and Western Michigan are all showing a lot of interest in addition to Bowling Green at this point. Look for Nelson to hit several of those team camps.
Those camps will be pivotal as schools look at who to offer and who to keep tabs on. Bowling Green would probably like to get another look and work on deepening its relationship with Nelson.
That first offer will always mean a lot, really validating the hard work already put in and giving more meaning for all the hard work yet to come.
“(BGSU) invited me to the coach’s office and then we were talking and (the head coach) said he wanted to offer me,” Nelson said. “I kind of got a little chill down my spine and I was nervous but also relieved that I got my first offer. A team thinks I’m good enough to play for them.”
Check out the video below to learn more about this talented player that could be coming to a camp near you and find out what is next in his recruitment.
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