Ex-Minnesota, Rutgers QB Philip Nelson walks on at East Carolina
After pleading guilty to a misdemeanor assault charge, former Minnesota and Rutgers quarterback Philip Nelson has enrolled at East Carolina.
By
Jerry Hinnen
•
1 min read
The Wilmington (N.C.) Star-News reported Thursday that former Minnesota starting quarterback Philip Nelson will attempt to revive his career at East Carolina.
Nelson transferred from Minnesota to Rutgers in January 2014, only to be dismissed by the Scarlet Knights the following May after his arrest on felony assault charges. Nelson would eventually plead guilty to a charge of misdemeanor fifth-degree assault, and was sentenced to 100 hours of community service for his role in a street fight that left former Minnesota State-Mankato player Isaac Kolstad with severe brain injuries.
"I think it’s human nature and fair to question decisions such as these, but there was a lot of forethought and deliberation about our willingness to allow Phil to join our program as a walk-on,” East Carolina coach Ruffin McNeill told the Star-News, confirming Nelson's presence on the roster.
“He did not make a good decision," McNeill said,"but has taken responsibility. ... It is my belief the support and leadership core of our football program can help enable him to become the man we know he can be.”
Nelson made 16 starts for his home-state Gophers across 2012 and 2013, throwing for 2,179 yards and 17 touchdowns while rushing for 548 yards and another six touchdowns. But Nelson was outperformed by Mitch Leidner in Minnesota's 2013 bowl loss to Syracuse and elected to transfer, citing his desite to play in a more pass-centric offense.
Nelson has two seasons of eligibility remaining, though per the Star-News it's not immediately clear when he will cleared to play for the Pirates, who are replacing ECU all-time leading passer Shane Carden.
