This Guy Plays Notre Dame Football: #56 Quenton Nelson

Senior offensive guard Quenton Nelson is next up in the series of player profiles. Nelson came to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish football program from Holmdel, New Jersey, and has started 23 games for the Irish so far. At 6’5 and 329 lbs, Nelson is massive mauler of a lineman; he is widely considered to be one of the best guards in the nation, and has backed up such a distinction with very solid and consistent play for the Irish throughout his time as a starter.

3 Things to Know About Quenton Nelson

1. Pro Football Focus had him as the 32nd best prospect with eligibility to declare for 2017 draft.

2. Quenton is enrolled in the Mendoza College of Business, with a major in management consulting. Needless to say, he’s pretty bright.

3. As a senior in high school, Nelson bench pressed 225 lbs 26 times; that’s more than Jadeveon Clowney of the Houston Texans and Khalil Mack of the Oakland Raiders.

YouTube Hot Fire

It’s not perfect, but this series of clips really exemplifies just how consistent and solid Quenton Nelson is as Notre Dame’s left guard. He is a bully at the point of attack, and holds his own extremely well against a very talented Stanford front seven.

I, Gallagher, Dub Thee...

Quenton “The Freezer” Nelson. Nelson is a behemoth the size of a large kitchen appliance, but unfortunately for us William Perry has already reserved “The Refrigerator”.

Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images

2017 Forecast

Barring catastrophe, we should see Quenton Nelson manning the starting left guard spot on opening day. If all goes well, he should not relent that spot all year.

He should build upon a solid foundation built over the past two years as a force on the Irish offensive line. He is likely looking at the 2018 NFL Draft as a potential day one draftee, and will hopefully contribute in a way that warrants a day one pick.