UNT picks up commitment from Shadow Creek cornerback

Jennings originally recruited Nelson during his time at Texas State. Those ties were vital after Jennings joined Eric Morris’ first staff at UNT.

Jennings resumed recruiting Nelson and helped convince him to commit to continue his career with the Mean Green.

Nelson announced his decision on his Twitter account and spoke to the Denton Record-Chronicle about why he chose UNT a short time later.

“North Texas was the place for me because coach Jennings and I have a great relationship,” Nelson said. “He gave me my second offer when he was at Texas State. We hadn’t talked in a couple of months. He called me on Jan. 3 and offered me.

“I felt the want and need to go to North Texas.”

Nelson whittled his options from more than two dozen scholarship offers to Coastal Carolina, New Mexico, Old Dominion and UNT before committing to the Mean Green.

The 6-foot, 181-pound senior emerged as a top college prospect last season, when he intercepted seven passes and was named first-team All-District 23-6A.

Nelson made several key plays for Shadow Creek last season, including returning one of his interceptions 28 yards for a touchdown in a win over Bridgeland.

UNT recently hosted Nelson on an official visit.

“It felt like home,” Nelson said. “Everything was perfect for me. There’s an opportunity to play right away under a new coaching staff. It was the best decision for me and my family.”

The Mean Green are shifting to a 3-3-5 defense under new coordinator Matt Caponi. UNT’s coaches told Nelson he would be a good fit in the system.

“I have length and speed,” Nelson said. “They see me playing on the boundary side.”

UNT has loaded up on defensive backs in its 2023 recruiting class.

The Mean Green previously landed transfer safeties Phillip Hill (UNLV) and Damon Youngblood (Louisiana-Lafayette). The Mean Green picked up a commitment from Houston North Shore safety Evan Jackson earlier this week and continued to add top Texas players when Nelson committed.

“It’s closer to home than the other schools I was considering,” Nelson said. “My family will be able to come and see me play.”