Interview: 3-Star 2020 Arizona OT Talent Noah Nelson is That Desired Cornerstone Player
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Sometimes life is just unfair, and for Arizona defenders trying to go up against Class of 2020 offensive tackle Noah Nelson it truly is iniquitous. Nelson is not just big, coming in at 6-8, 295 pounds, but he is also athletic, strong, and plays with that nasty streak needed to be a great lineman.
Williams Field High School ran their 2018 record to 11-2 against 5A competition, and one can guess with great confidence that every ball carrier on the Black Hawks squad loved running behind their cornerstone tackle. The Black Hawks tore up the ground game for 2,744 yards with 32 scores on the ground. The aerial attack was potent with 2,049 yards and 17 touchdowns giving Nelson ample opportunity to showcase his blocking talents in both aspects of the offense, and a lot of opportunities to hand out backside grass stains to defenders.
Talents like Nelson are not easy to come by in the trenches. College coaches aware of Nelson’s talents have jumped on recruiting him leading to 13 offers and rapidly growing interest. The schools hoping to woo him come National Signing Day 2020 includes Arizona State, Arizona, UCLA, Indiana, Louisiana, Purdue, Oklahoma State, Michigan, Memphis, Washington, Washington State, Duke and Northwestern.
In an RNG exclusive interview, I sat down for an in-depth one-on-one with one of Arizona’s top linemen talents learning more about his game and recruiting prospects.
Interview
Noah, how did the 2018 season go for you overall?
“It was incredible. It was a really good learning season for me allowing me to get more comfortable with the position. Overall, we had a great season going 11-2.”
The Black Hawks had a pretty balanced offense leaning a little more towards the run. You got a lot of opportunity to work on both your run and pass block. Starting with run blocking, how did that part of your game improve?
“I feel like I was more comfortable this year run blocking. It seemed a lot easier and I was more aggressive. I did pretty good.”
What about with your pass blocking, which areas of your technique improved the most last season?
“I feel like my positioning against the guy was better. I was staying square able to catch him on the inside or outside.”
Every play, or so it seems, on your reel ended with a defender on the ground. Did you or the coaches count your pancake and/or knockdown blocks?
(Laughs) “No. I wish we did. I may have to go back and check that out.”
You move really well for your size, what kind of footwork and/or agility drills do you do to help with your mobility?
“I get out there with all the other athletes and do what everyone does. I like to think I can do everything out there that all the other guys are doing. I feel like I am an athlete out there. With footwork, I am always working on my kick-back and kick-steps.”
Which parts of your game are focused on this offseason to improve upon before your senior year?
“I am always working on footwork to make sure that is crisp. I am working on proper run blocking technique as well. In the weight room, I am working to build up strength.”
What are college coaches telling you they like about your game?
“They like how athletic I am, my size and my aggression. They tell me that I will fit well into their program. They like my long arms because I can get to chest of defensive linemen quicker.”
How many offers do you have?
“I have 13 offers.”
Which schools are showing interest but have not offered yet?
“Oklahoma, Notre Dame – I am going up there in March, Nebraska, USC, Alabama, Baylor, Colorado, and Cal. There are others but I can’t think of them all right now.”
Have you had a chance to take any visits yet?
“Yes. I am always going to ASU on visits. I went to UA (Arizona) for a couple of visits. I also went up to Washington for the ASU game. That was a cool experience.”
Overall, how have the ASU visits gone?
“Super cool. The coaches always check in on me. I watch their offensive linemen in warm-ups and during the games. The linemen always give me fist bumps. ASU has that home feel.”
What about Arizona, how have those visits gone?
“Incredible. The coaches at Arizona are incredibly nice. It is awesome to see what they are developing there. It is a cool option to have to develop a legacy there because my dad played there.”
You mentioned visiting Notre Dame, do you have any other planned visits coming up?
“Yes. In March, I am going to Indiana, Purdue, Notre Dame, and Michigan. I may try to go to Clemson, but when I am planning to be there is during a dead period.”
Last question – for fun. Which bowl games are you excited to see?
“I am so excited for Notre Dame-Clemson and Alabama-Oklahoma games.”
Noah, great getting time with you today. Good luck with your offseason workouts and enjoy watching the bowl games.
“Thank you.”
Photo credit: Nelson family; Noah Nelson at ASU and Arizona