Arvell Nelson

Arvell Nelson
refer to caption
Nelson with the Cleveland Gladiators in 2017
Personal information
Born: (1988-09-27) September 27, 1988 (age 36)
Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
Height:6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Weight:230 lb (104 kg)
Career information
High school:Cleveland (OH) Glenville
College:Texas Southern
Position:Quarterback
Undrafted:2011
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career Arena League statistics
Comp. / Att.:926 / 1,525
Passing yards:11,427
TD–INT:220-47
QB rating:107.13
Rushing TDs:52
Stats at ArenaFan.com

Arvell Nelson (born September 27, 1988) is an American professional football quarterback who is a free agent. He was signed by the Alabama Hammers as an undrafted free agent in 2012. He played college football at University of Iowa, before transferring to Fort Scott Community College and Texas Southern University.[1]

Early life

Nelson attended Glenville High School in Cleveland, Ohio, where he was a quarterback for the Tarblooders football team.[2] Nelson's quarterback play landed him scholarship opportunities at Iowa, Michigan State, North Carolina, Syracuse, Tennessee and Wisconsin.[3]

College recruiting information
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight 40‡ Commit date
Arvell Nelson
QB 		Cleveland, Ohio Glenville High School 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 171 lb (78 kg) 4.9 Jan 18, 2006 
Star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN grade: 73
Overall recruiting rankings: Scout: 24 (QB)   Rivals: 22 (QB), 32 (OH)  ESPN: 80 (QB), 31 (OH), 81 (Midwest)
  • ‡ Refers to 40 yard dash
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height, weight and 40 time.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "Iowa Football Commitment List (21)". Rivals.com. Retrieved November 17, 2014.
  • "Iowa College Football Recruiting Commits". Scout.com. Retrieved November 17, 2014.
  • "ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved November 17, 2014.
  • "Scout.com Team Recruiting Rankings". Scout.com. Retrieved November 17, 2014.
  • "2006 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved November 17, 2014.
  • "247". 247sports.com. Retrieved November 17, 2014.

College career

Iowa

Nelson choose to commit to the University of Iowa,[4] where he redshirted during his freshman season. As a redshirt freshman in 2007, Nelson was given the opportunity to compete with Jake Christensen for the Hawkeyes starting quarterback spot, but Christensen won, and Nelson was named the team's backup quarterback. Nelson saw his first college playing time in the Hawkeyes second game of the season, a 35–0 victory over Syracuse. Nelson completed his only pass attempt for 12 yards.[5] Nelson would later be moved to wide receiver, losing the backup quarterback position to Ricky Stanzi. Nelson was dismissed from the Hawkeyes football team by head coach Kirk Ferentz.[6]

Fort Scott

In 2008, Nelson enrolled at Fort Scott Community College, where he joined the football team as a safety. Nelson also saw time playing quarterback, but his play at safety lead him to being named second team All-Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference.[7]

Texas Southern

Nelson choose to enroll at Texas Southern University in 2009, where he was named the starting quarterback for the Tigers.[8] Nelson was named the Southwestern Athletic Conference Newcomer of the Year after finishing second in the conference in passing yards and passing touchdowns.[9] In 2010, Nelson returned as the starter for the Tigers, and lead them to a west division title. Nelson however missing the SWAC Championship Game due to an NCAA violation.[10] The Tigers ended up winning the SWAC Championship Game without Nelson,[11] The NCAA later revoked the teams championship due to a major sports violation.[12]

Professional career

Nelson was rated the 51st best quarterback in the 2011 NFL draft by NFLDraftScout.com.[13]

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 4 in
(1.93 m) 		224 lb
(102 kg) 		4.96 s 1.76 s 2.93 s 4.42 s 7.06 s 29 in
(0.74 m)		 8 ft 8 in
(2.64 m)		 6 reps
All values from Texas Southern Pro Day[13]

Alabama Hammers

After going undrafted in the 2011 NFL draft, Nelson signed with the Alabama Hammers of the Professional Indoor Football League (PIFL). Nelson was named the team's starting quarterback for the first eight games of the season, before being replaced by Tony Colston.[14]

Spokane Shock

Nelson was assigned to the Spokane Shock of the Arena Football League (AFL) on November 8, 2012.[15] Nelson was brought in to compete for playing time at quarterback, with former Shocker starter Kyle Rowley departing for the Orlando Predators. Nelson made the team as a backup to Erik Meyer.[16] Nelson lined up at a multitude of positions for the Shock, making his debut as a quarterback, only to run the football. It wasn't until the Shock's Week 11 game against the San Jose SaberCats when Nelson attempted his first pass. Nelson finished the season with 5 touchdown passes on 16-of-20 attempts, while also getting 6 rushing touchdowns, and 4 receiving touchdowns.

The Shock picked up their rookie option on Nelson in September 2013.[17]

Pittsburgh Power

Nelson warming up his arm. (2017)

On October 3, 2013, the Shock traded Nelson and Ben Ossai for Pittsburgh Power wide receiver Mike Washington.[18] The Power folded in November 2014.[19]

Spokane Shock

On January 5, 2015, Nelson was reassigned to the Shock. After spending the first 12 weeks of the season on the refused to report list, Nelson was activated on June 16, 2015.

Cleveland Gladiators

In March 2016, Nelson was assigned to the Cleveland Gladiators. He began the season at jack linebacker for the Gladiators but became the starting quarterback after injuries to Chris Dieker and Dennis Havrilla.[20][21] He made his first start at quarterback for the team on April 29, 2016 after Havrilla was injured, throwing for 332 yards and six touchdowns in a 76–56 loss to the Orlando Predators.[21][22] Nelson threw for 3,425 yards and 70 touchdowns in 2016. On March 25, 2017, Nelson was placed on recallable reassignment. Nelson was assigned to the Gladiators on April 12, 2017. Nelson made his first start of the season for the Gladiators on April 22, 2017. Nelson was the third different starting quarterback the Gladiators had used in three games.

Richmond Roughriders

Nelson signed with the Richmond Roughriders of the American Arena League in April 2018.[23]

Washington Valor

Nelson was assigned to the Washington Valor on May 29, 2018.[24] He led the Valor to a 69–55 victory in ArenaBowl XXXI and was named the ArenaBowl Most Valuable Player.

Jacksonville Sharks

Nelson signed with the Jacksonville Sharks in Week 6 of the 2022 season where he threw for 40 Touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

San Antonio Gunslingers

On March 16, 2023, Nelson signed with the San Antonio Gunslingers of the National Arena League (NAL).[25] Nelson became a free agent at the end of the season.

AFL statistics

Year Team Passing Rushing
Cmp Att Pct Yds TD Int Rtg Att Yds TD
2013 Spokane 16 20 80.0 162 5 0 140.00 14 24 4
2014 Pittsburgh 7 13 53.8 67 1 0 87.66 11 42 2
2015 Spokane 101 175 57.7 1,104 18 7 85.51 33 86 7
2016 Cleveland 261 439 59.5 3,425 70 11 113.28 59 211 11
2017 Cleveland 242 378 64.0 3,084 61 13 114.68 51 221 12
2018 Washington 129 212 60.8 1,509 27 7 0.00 26 127 6
2019 Washington 170 288 59.0 2,076 38 9 101.27 45 145 10
Career 926 1,525 60.7 11,427 220 47 107.13 239 856 52

Stats from ArenaFan:[26]

References

  1. ^ Jerry DiPaola (March 6, 2014). "Journey led Nelson to Power". www.triblive.com. Trib Total Media, Inc. Retrieved March 7, 2014.
  2. ^ Todd Stumpft (November 22, 2004). "Glenville does it again". www.clevelandbrowns.com. Cleveland Browns. Archived from the original on November 29, 2014. Retrieved November 17, 2014.
  3. ^ "Arvell Nelson". www.rivals.com. Yahoo!. Retrieved November 17, 2014.
  4. ^ "National Signing Day: Time to sign on the dotted line for high school standouts". www.wkyc.com. wkyc-tv, Inc. February 1, 2006. Archived from the original on November 17, 2014. Retrieved November 17, 2014.
  5. ^ "Christensen throws 4 TD passes to lead Iowa past Syracuse 35-0". www.usatoday.com. USA TODAY. September 8, 2007. Retrieved November 17, 2014.
  6. ^ "Iowa Dumps Glenville's Nelson". www.wordpress.com. WordPress.com. March 7, 2008. Retrieved November 11, 2014.
  7. ^ "KJCCC All Conference Football Team". www.kjccc.org. Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference. Retrieved November 17, 2014.
  8. ^ Doug Lesmerises (November 11, 2009). "Ohio State-Iowa and Glenville's Arvell Nelson: what could have been: Ohio State Insider". www.cleveland.com. Northeast Ohio Media Group. Retrieved November 17, 2014.
  9. ^ Rodney Bush (December 9, 2009). "Nelson Earns Newcomer of the Year Honors and Four Tigers Named to All-SWAC Team". www.ibcsports.com. Inside Black College Sports. Retrieved November 17, 2014.
  10. ^ Jerome Solomon (December 11, 2010). "QB Arvell Nelson ineligible for TSU in SWAC title game". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved November 17, 2014.
  11. ^ Doug Segrest (December 11, 2010). "SWAC Championship Game: Big defense, backup QB deliver Texas Southern victory against Alabama State". www.al.com. Alabama Media Group. Retrieved November 17, 2014.
  12. ^ Steve Eder (October 9, 2012). "Texas Southern Is Penalized By the N.C.A.A." The New York Times. Retrieved November 17, 2014.
  13. ^ a b "Arvell Nelson". nfldraftscout.com. Retrieved August 29, 2016.
  14. ^ Reggie Benson (June 6, 2012). "Alabama Hammers notebook: Quarterback change could be coming". www.al.com. Alabama Media Group. Retrieved November 17, 2014.
  15. ^ "SHOCK HAVE BEEN ASSIGNED FALAKISENI AND NELSON". www.spokaneshock.com. Spokane Shock. November 8, 2012. Archived from the original on November 29, 2014. Retrieved November 17, 2014.
  16. ^ "Shock Make Final Roster Cuts". www.khq.com. WorldNow and KHQ. March 18, 2013. Retrieved November 17, 2014.
  17. ^ Ryan Eucker (September 10, 2013). "Shock Reload Roster For 2014". www.spokaneshock.com. Spokane Shock. Archived from the original on November 29, 2014. Retrieved November 17, 2014.
  18. ^ Jerry DiPaola (October 3, 2013). "Power trade record-setting WR Washington to Spokane". www.triblive.com. Trib Total Media. Retrieved November 17, 2014.
  19. ^ DiPaola, Jerry (November 17, 2014). "Power fold for now; AFL remains hopeful of keeping franchise viable". triblive.com. Archived from the original on December 21, 2014. Retrieved December 20, 2014.
  20. ^ "Gladiators hold on to defeat Tampa Bay, 41-28". arenafan.com. April 9, 2016. Retrieved April 30, 2016.
  21. ^ a b "Cleveland Gladiators fall to Orlando Predators, 76-56". cleveland.com. April 29, 2016. Retrieved April 30, 2016.
  22. ^ "Gladiators Drop First Road Game, Fall To Soul In Philadelphia 67-50". cleveland.cbslocal.com. April 23, 2016. Retrieved April 30, 2016.
  23. ^ "Roughriders sign former Cleveland Gladiators AFL Star Arvell Nelson". richmondroughriders.com. Archived from the original on April 10, 2018. Retrieved April 9, 2018.
  24. ^ "Transactions". afldigital.com. Archived from the original on May 31, 2018. Retrieved May 31, 2018.
  25. ^ "2023 NAL Transactions". nationalarenaleague.com.
  26. ^ "Arvell Nelson". arenafan.com. Retrieved August 5, 2017.