Selected for the Leadership Committee as the 2006 season began, Nelson proved to be a leader both on and off the field. The season saw him finish with 47 tackles, six interceptions, a fumble recovery, and a 70 yard defensive touchdown. Nelson was a finalist for the Thorpe Award and the Nagurski Trophy and served as the anchor of the Florida defense that helped the Gators win their first football national championship in ten years. This win, unfortunately, soon took a backseat to his personal troubles when Nelson lost his mother to breast cancer a few days before Christmas.
In the end, Nelson's final collegiate stats included 29 games started, 182 tackles made, 125 tackles made solo, five sacks, two fumbles caused, four fumbles recovered, seven kicks blocked, 13 interceptions made and two touchdowns. As for his final NFL stats, ask us in about 20 years.
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