2019 Football Roster
Nelson, RJ

Jersey Number 97
RJ Nelson
- Class:
- Redshirt Sophomore
- Height:
- 6-4
- Weight:
- 240
- Position:
- DE
- Hometown:
- Hillsboro, Ore.
- High School:
- Hillsboro HS
Bio
2020-21 (R-Jr.): After returning to health, is expected to contribute on the D-line
2019 (R-So.): Played in seven games before getting injured… Posted a pair of tackles.
2018 (R-Fr.):
• Academic All-Big Sky ... earned a starting spot during fall camp playing a hybrid defensive end/linebacker role ... In his first ever college football game, the redshirt freshman recorded five total tackles (three solo) and a TFL that resulted in a seven yard loss vs. UNI (9/1) ... Saw action in 10 games for the Grizzlies this season and started in seven ... Totaled 22 tackles and 2 TFL's on the season.
2017 (Fr.): Was a redshirt
High School: Nelson attended Hillsboro HS in Hillsboro, Ore. … A three-time letterwinner in football, and two-time letterwinner in basketball … Named football team captain his junior and senior years, and basketball team captain his sophomore and junior years … Won two football conference championships with Hillsboro his sophomore and junior seasons … Earned All-Conference honors as a DE and OT his junior season … Came in second on the school’s basketball all-time single game rebounding record with 18 boards in a game, and second all-time with 16 defensive rebounds in a game … Named the Kuik Portland metro area student-athlete of the week as a sophomore in basketball … Took first place overall in the metro area lineman challenge as a senior.
Personal: His parents are Chris and Cathy Nelson of Hillsboro … Management & Entrepreneurship major … Played prep football under head coach Adam Reese… Enjoys fishing
2019 (R-So.): Played in seven games before getting injured… Posted a pair of tackles.
2018 (R-Fr.):
• Academic All-Big Sky ... earned a starting spot during fall camp playing a hybrid defensive end/linebacker role ... In his first ever college football game, the redshirt freshman recorded five total tackles (three solo) and a TFL that resulted in a seven yard loss vs. UNI (9/1) ... Saw action in 10 games for the Grizzlies this season and started in seven ... Totaled 22 tackles and 2 TFL's on the season.
2017 (Fr.): Was a redshirt
High School: Nelson attended Hillsboro HS in Hillsboro, Ore. … A three-time letterwinner in football, and two-time letterwinner in basketball … Named football team captain his junior and senior years, and basketball team captain his sophomore and junior years … Won two football conference championships with Hillsboro his sophomore and junior seasons … Earned All-Conference honors as a DE and OT his junior season … Came in second on the school’s basketball all-time single game rebounding record with 18 boards in a game, and second all-time with 16 defensive rebounds in a game … Named the Kuik Portland metro area student-athlete of the week as a sophomore in basketball … Took first place overall in the metro area lineman challenge as a senior.
Personal: His parents are Chris and Cathy Nelson of Hillsboro … Management & Entrepreneurship major … Played prep football under head coach Adam Reese… Enjoys fishing
Griz Football vs North Dakota Highlights
Monday, September 15
Griz football weekly press conference 9/15/25
Monday, September 15
UM vs UND Highlights 9/13
Saturday, September 13
UM vs UND Postgame Press Conf.
Saturday, September 13