Levi Nelson – Under Recruited Athlete

BIOGRAPHY

Levi Nelson is a 6-foot-3, 230-pound EDGE prospect in the Class of 2029 who has taken the next step in his football journey, moving from Florida to Somerset High School in the San Antonio, Texas area.

Nelson arrives in Texas after beginning his high school career at Ponte Vedra High School in Florida, where he quickly established himself as an intriguing young defensive prospect. With a laser-verified 1.44-second 10-yard split, Nelson combines length, leverage, an explosive first step and a relentless motor. His versatility allows him to impact the game as a traditional 5-technique while also possessing the athletic ability to rush from the edge in space.

The move from Florida to Texas places Nelson in another state known for highly competitive high school football and gives the young defender a new opportunity to continue developing against quality competition as he enters the next stage of his career.

EARLY PRODUCTION IN FLORIDA

Despite being only 14 years old during his freshman campaign, Nelson made an impact in limited action. In just 6.25 games, he recorded 36 tackles, 7.5 sacks, four tackles for loss and two fumble recoveries, while his pressure helped create two additional interceptions.

Those numbers provided an early glimpse of a defender whose physical development is only beginning. Nelson also earned invitations to the FBU Top Gun and FBU Futures Showcase in 2025. During those events, defensive line coaches used him as a teaching example during drills and placed him on a watch list following repeated wins during one-on-one competition.

His freshman development also included practicing with Ponte Vedra’s varsity program during its postseason run to the 2025 Florida Class 5A state semifinals against Lakeland.Now, that Florida chapter becomes part of the foundation he carries with him to Texas.

ATHLETICISM RUNS IN THE FAMILY

Nelson also comes from a family with a strong athletic and academic background. His older brother is a state-qualified Olympic weightlifter at UCF, while his sister competed as a Ponte Vedra varsity cheerleader on a state-championship team that finished 11th at UCA Nationals.

His father was a starting goalkeeper at Division I Wright State University and earned a master’s degree, while his mother was formerly Miss Centerburg, Ohio, and received the Junior Miss fitness award. For Nelson, that combination of athletics and academics is important.

He maintains a 4.0 GPA, participates in church and community service, and has made earning a college degree a long-term priority. His development has also included year-round work with Coach Brandon Floyd in strength and movement training and Coach Ronnie Mason in defensive-line technique.

URA EVALUATION

Nelson is an emerging Class of 2029 EDGE prospect with a projectable frame, verified short-area explosiveness and considerable physical-development potential. His 1.44-second laser 10-yard split immediately stands out. On film, that acceleration translates into an explosive first step capable of putting offensive tackles under early stress.

Nelson currently wins with a combination of length, leverage, speed-to-power and effort. His long-arm technique and forklift finish are promising tools for a player at this stage of his development, while his developing inside counter gives him the foundation for a more complete pass-rush plan. There are still areas that should improve with age and repetitions. Continued development of his pad level, hand placement, strike timing, run-game discipline and counter combinations will be important as the level of competition increases.

The move from Florida to the San Antonio area gives Nelson an interesting new developmental chapter. The next evaluation point will be how his physical tools and early production translate into increased varsity opportunities at Somerset. His stated physical goal of reaching approximately 215–220 pounds while maintaining his explosiveness could further expand his ability to play multiple defensive-front alignments.