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St. Cloud State University
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Former Husky living well past expectations
By Ryan Atkins
Published:
Thursday, August 5, 2004
Media Credit: Ryan Atkins
Former Husky player Ben Nelson trains with the Vikings.
In the fall of 1998 there was an all-conference wide receiver from Anoka, Minn. attempting to fight an uphill battle, trying to prove his doubters wrong and make the St. Cloud State football team without receiving any offers to play college football.
"I always thought I'd play football, but I didn't want to go to North Dakota, or South Dakota. I didn't like the area," Ben Nelson said. "I kind- of liked the city area a little more so I chose St. Cloud."
With Noel Martin in his last year as SCSU head football coach, Nelson attempted to walk-on for the Huskies. However, Nelson didn't qualify as a walk-on and missed making the team.
"I didn't even make the squad because of a numbers problem and was told I could stick around and come back for spring ball," Nelson said.
Not discouraged during the time off, Nelson lifted weights and worked on his forty-yard sprint time. He went into spring practice stronger and faster.
With Randy Hedberg replacing Martin as head football coach, Nelson received a fresh start to show his ability with his better strength and speed.
"I noticed every time we threw him the ball he didn't drop it," Hedberg said. "He was stronger and faster and he was a hand catcher, that's one thing that sticks out and is a big attribute."
Nelson had a promising first season for the Huskies bringing in 16 catches for 161 yards during the 1999 season. Nelson continued to improve in the 2001 season being named second team All-Conference in the NCC. Nelson also holds numerous Husky receiving records.
"Ben in 2002 was just a go-to guy that defined our season," Hedberg said. "He took our team on his shoulders and refused to lose any game."
After Nelson's stellar, but unexpected career at SCSU, talk circulated that he may have the ability to compete for a spot in the NFL.
"Coaches and other people told me that I would have a chance to go to the NFL and I started to see it by reading newspapers," Nelson said.
Nelson was signed by the Minnesota Vikings in the spring of 2003 and competed through training camp despite his uncertainty regarding his status with the Vikings.
"I was on edge, a little nervous, always looking over my shoulder seeing who's watching," Nelson said.
Nelson always felt he had an opportunity to play college football but never envisioned the opportunity to play professional football.
"I never thought I'd go this far," Nelson said. "I knew I would get better. I was only (running a) 4.9 (forty-yard sprint speed) coming out of high school. It took a while to grow and get bigger."
Nelson said his 40 speed is now in the traditional NFL receiver range of 4.4.
"I was not even thinking anything of it," said Nelson referring to competing at the NFL level. "I was wondering if I was good enough that I could compete at the Division I level."
Minnesota Vikings wide receivers coach Charlie Baggett stated Nelson brings the one necessity any NFL wide receiver should bring: play making ability.
"Ben has ability and we're excited about seeing how far he has come along," Baggett said. "We saw he made plays and that's a big thing in this league. Last year we saw enough talent that we thought he warranted a chance to go over to Europe and develop."
After competing during training camp last season, Nelson thought that he wouldn't be kept on the practice squad because he wasn't being used during the pre-season games. But the Vikings kept him around.
After being on the practice squad for the majority of the first month of the season, Nelson was released and returned to St. Cloud to work out at Halenbeck Hall, hoping for another chance to make the NFL.
That chance came when the Vikings sent Nelson to NFL Europe over the summer to develop his skills. Nelson succeeded with the Cologne Centurions team, grabbing 15 passes and one TD despite missing the first three games because of injury.
"Normally a second-year receiver will make the most improvement from the first year to the next," Baggett said. "If he can improve on what he did last year and what he did in the European league, we feel he can contribute."
Nelson feels more relaxed coming into his second season compared to his overwhelming first season.
"I learned a lot of stuff my first year around (the Vikings organization). I got a chance to work on all of those things (while in NFL Europe). I got a chance to play special teams which will help me," Nelson said.
Nelson is ready to compete and ready to show what he can do.
"This year I am more relaxed," Nelson said. "I'm just working on my game and having a good time."
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