Southwestern JUCO CB Jalen Nelson Talks Football and San Jose State Commitment

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

How can anyone not love the game of football? The game offers the players, coaches, and fans alike so much with stories on and off the field, heartbreak, hope, and inspiration from one minute to the next. Beneath the surface of the helmet and shoulder pads for all 22 players on the field at any given time, are unique stories of hard work and dedication about those that who refuse to give up. A tale that is still unfolding for all to follow is the journey of Jalen Nelson. The difficult road traveled through tough and uncertain times is finally paying off.

Watching Nelson play on the field, one can assume the game has come easy for him. Whether it was when he was picking off four passes in a season at La Jolla High School during his junior year or his senior campaign at Horizon Christian when he was a beast on both sides of the ball. In 2016, Nelson pulled in 46 passes for 683 yards with 10 touchdowns in stats posted through 13 games. The San Diego rising talent was even more impactful on defense with 80 stops, 46 solo, including three fumbles recovered, one forced fumble, and at least five credited interceptions.

Even though the stats, size – at 6-2, 185, and athleticism were there for all to see, Nelson, an academic qualifier, was not showered with Division-I opportunities at the end of his high school career. Instead, he took his skills to Southwestern JUCO working with coach Brett Hudson throughout the offseason and regular season on honing and fine-tuning his craft. All the hard work started paying immediate dividends on the field seeing Southwestern roll to a 9-2 season winning the American Mountain Conference with a 35-14 American Championship Bowl victory over Allan Hancock as the topper. Nelson produced a 33 tackle, one fumble recovery, eight passes broken up, and four pick season earning first team All-Conference honors.

The good times continued to roll off the field with San Jose State offering Nelson. The Spartans offered and on Dec. 10 Nelson verbally committed. In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with the Horizon area product getting insight on his true freshman season on the field and how his committed to San Jose State played out.

Interview

Jalen, I have to start the interview asking about your senior year in high school. How many red zone picks did you have that year? It looks like you had a half dozen down there if not more.

“I’d say at least five. I had 10 total interceptions, but two were taken away.”

You were a ballhawk in high school picking passes off, how were you able to carry that production over to the junior college level?

“If you can do it at one level you can do it at another level. Going up and getting it at the highest point, I’ve always been good at that.”

How did you adjust your game from the high school to JUCO level during your freshman year?

“I improved a lot. Working with Coach Brett Hudson, I worked a lot on man coverage. I was a good zone corner in high school. In college, I got used to my body and I learned how to use it on the field. I was more confident in my press coverage this season.”

Southwestern had a fantastic 2017 season winning seven consecutive games to close out the season. How did the season come together for the team as a whole?

“We felt like we should have been undefeated. The losses brought us together. We were really close, but became even closer after the losses. The leaders led and the followers followed. Once we got everyone in the right places, it just clicked after that.”

How did your skillset improve over the course of the season?

“As the season went on, I got used to the college speed. I was able to slow down my backpedals and stayed square in my press. I did better reading the quarterbacks’ eyes and seeing their drops. I was better in the film room as well. I also had a better understanding of what I was weak at putting myself in the best position to succeed on the field.”

Which game was your best, and why do you consider that game tops this season?

“That is a tough question. I’d say the Citrus game. That was the game where I got my first pick. I feel like that game turned around my season. I started off slow. We had a good game plan and we made some switches on the defense. I was more physical in that game too.”

Which game was tough for you presenting a challenge?

“The Mesa game. We knew they had a good receiver. I was on his side that game. He did not play as much as expected. In the first half, they were throwing all short stuff, hitches and slants. They were driving down the field on us. In the second half, we blitz the hell out of them and locked them up. That was the first time I was one-on-one the whole game. It was hard but it was fun. I enjoyed it.”

How did that showdown make you better helping push your game forward?

“It made me realize how good I really am. It helped me realize that even if I was having a bad game, I can turn it around at any time. That game gave me more confidence in my abilities. It added to what I feel, and that is that I am the best JUCO corner in the state.”

For your efforts, you were rewarded first team All-Conference. What was that moment for you finding out you were named first team All-Conference?

“Honestly, I felt that I deserved it. Anything less, I would have been heated. Once league play started, I was by far the best corner on the field no matter who we played. They tried to go away from me as much as possible but I was still making plays. It was awesome to be recognized.”

What will you focus on with your offseason workouts?

“Bigger, faster, stronger – preparing my body for the D-I level. I think I am ready mentally and technically. I need to get into the weight room and get after it.”

Nice transition here. Which schools have been showing interest in you?

“Hawaii, New Mexico, Utah State, Southern Utah, Weber State, and Idaho State.”

Which schools have you visited this fall?

“San Jose State.”

How did the visit to San Jose State go?

“It was amazing. I loved it. It was similar to San Diego but it had more of a city feel than where I grew up. It was fun. I had a good time. My host was a really good guy. He seemed liked he liked it there. San Jose State, they are D-I and my dream has been to play D-I.”

You are committed to San Jose State, how did you commit to the Spartans’ staff?

“San Jose State’s head coach, Coach (Brent) Brennan, came to my house with Coach (Derrick) Odum (defensive coordinator), and Coach (Alonzo) Carter (running backs). We were talking about my visit and that asked if I had any questions about the school or program. I told them then, I don’t want to lose the offer and I wanted to commit.”

What was the reaction of the coaches when you committed?

“They were excited. They think I am a baller. They think they can build a championship team there. They have a lot of good things going on up there. They are turning things around.”

Which position are they recruiting you to play?

“Corner.”

That’s great. Congratulations on your commitment.

“Thank you.”

Before I let you go, one last question. Is there a favorite Christmas movie or tradition you have that you have to do every year?

“I have to watch “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” I watch that on Christmas Eve before I go to sleep.”

Jalen, thanks for your time today and good luck this spring at San Jose State.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credit: Nelson family; Jalen Nelson in-home visit with Derrick Odum

Photo credit: Southwestern JUCO; No. 1 Jalen Nelson on the field