It didn’t take long for RJ Nelson to become enamored with Missoula.
The Hillsboro (Oregon) High senior first came to the Garden City after earning an invite to Montana’s individual football camp in July of 2016. The Griz first saw the rangy 6-foot-4, 218-pound defensive end at the Northwest Elite Showcase camp last spring and offered him after seeing him work out in Missoula.
Nelson liked the vibe of the town and the atmosphere on the UM campus. But he held several other offers as his recruitment picked up over the summer. Portland State came calling. Eastern Washington, the Big Sky Conference champions five of the last seven years, offered Nelson. Idaho got in the mix to give Nelson FBS credentials. Utah State nearly pulled the trigger on an offer.
But the courting of the aggressive player came to an abrupt end on Labor Day weekend. Nelson took an unofficial visit to Montana and got his first taste of Washington-Grizzly Stadium during UM’s 41-31 season-opening win over St. Francis. Nelson verbally committed later that weekend.
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Later on in the season, Nelson made his official visit to Montana during the Grizzlies’ 67-7 rout of Sacramento State. He was already confident in his decision but the performance and the atmosphere he experienced solidified that Missoula is where he wants to spend his college years.
“Once I went on my unofficial visit, I had my mind set on Montana,” Nelson said in an interview the first week of January. “Going on my official visit really sealed the deal for me. The coaching staff are really great and the atmosphere, the fan base is something I’m looking forward to playing for.”
Nelson, whose primary recruiter was UM offensive line coach Chad Germer, is projected to play Montana’s “Leo” defensive end spot. The d-end/outside linebacker hybrid spot is essential in defensive coordinator Jason Semore’s multiple-front scheme.
“That fits me well and I hope I can contribute to the team playing that position,” Nelson said. “I get off the ball well, I have good lateral quickness and I like to be physical so it seems like the perfect fit for me.”
As a junior in 2015, Nelson played both ways for the Spartans. He stood out on defense, notching 48 tackles, 30 solo stops, 12 tackles for loss, eight sacks, six quarterback hurries, three fumble recoveries, and a forced fumble.
Individual statistics for Nelson’s senior season are unavailable but he did earn All-league honors on both sides of the ball. His ESPN.com recruiting profile indicates impressive measurables: a 4.84-second 40-yard dash and a 4.1 20-yard shuttle run.
“It’s going to be a lot of mental preparation, physical in the weight room, getting ready to step in there and help the team out in any way I can,” said Nelson, who also played varsity basketball as junior but elected to not play this season in lieu of training to prepare for fall camp instead.
“I think our high school has really prepared me well. I have a really good support group in my community. A lot of coaches on my coaching staff and on other coaching staffs have helped me get to where I am today. My teammates have really been supportive of me throughout the whole process. My trainer, John Barnes, has helped me out tremendously training and lifting in the weight room. And my parents have helped me out a ton. I have a great support group.”
Brian Hendricks, Montana’s defensive line coach and Nelson’s future position coach, was the first Griz coach to show interest in Nelson. Germer solidified the recruitment by selling the intangibles of the stadium.
“(Germer) told me about the family atmosphere and that the support group is really good within the coaches and the players,” Nelson said. “That’s something I really want to be a part of: a group of guys that really care about each other who will do anything on the field and off the field for each other.”
During his official visit, Montana junior middle linebacker Conner Strahm was his player host. The Eugene, Oregon product echoed the perks of a great fan support, a peerless game-day atmosphere. Montana head coach Bob Stitt also made a lasting mark during Nelson’s recruitment.
“I love Coach Stitt,” Nelson said. “He’s a really genuine guy and you can tell he really cares about you when he talks to you. He made a really great impression on my family. It makes it feel worthwhile to go play for him.”
Nelson joins a Montana defensive line that loses starters Caleb Kidder, Ryan Johnson and Zach Peevey. Nelson does not know what he will major in but he is satisfied and committed to the decision he made nearly four months before National Signing Day.
“It’s a great honor to continue my career at the University of Montana,” Nelson said. “I’m really looking forward to becoming a Grizzly.”
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Photos contributed by RJ Nelson. All Rights Reserved.
