Quenton Nelson

BIOGRAPHY

Quenton Emerson Nelson was born on March 19, 1996, and he is currently one of the best guards in the National Football League (NFL). As an American professional football guard, Nelson plays for the Indianapolis Colts. Throughout his career, he has received six Pro Bowl selections in his first six seasons in the NFL, as well as four All-Pro selections in his first four seasons. His admirable gameplay saw him named a first-team All-Pro in his first three seasons.

As the youngest of Craig and Maryellen Nelson’s four children, Nelson hails from Holmdel Township, New Jersey. His early education was at Holmdel High School, but after freshman year, he transferred to Red Bank Catholic High School in the same state, New Jersey. At Red Bank, he wasn’t only renowned for his incredible football skills but also as a basketball All-Star, playing as a power forward/center. His commitment to football led him to the University of Notre Dame, where he honed his football skills further.

Nelson redshirted his first year at Notre Dame in 2014 before proving his worth on the field. In 2015, he played in every game of the season and made one start. The following year was no different as he started in all 12 games. His performance was so outstanding that he was named a unanimous first team All-American after the 2017 season. Nelson decided to forgo his last year of eligibility in 2018 and enter the NFL Draft.

At the end of the pre-draft process, Nelson was predicted by NFL draft experts and scouts to be a top ten selection in the first round. Sports Illustrated, together with NFL analysts Daniel Jeremiah and Mike Mayock, ranked him as the draft’s top offensive linemen prospect. The Indianapolis Colts selected him in the first round, making him the sixth overall selection in the 2018 NFL draft.

Nelson inked a four-year, fully guaranteed deal worth $23.88 million with the Colts, which included a signing bonus of $15.45 million. His rookie season saw him being part of an impressive offensive line and being named the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Month for October. He experienced first-hand the joy of winning a rookie Pro Bowl and being a first-team All-Pro. This successful rookie performance earned him a place on the PFWA All-Rookie Team.

In the 2019 season, Nelson continued to showcase his prowess by starting in all games for the Colts. His exceptional skill set saw him allow zero sacks and commit just three penalties. He received a rating of 91.2 from Pro Football Focus. He had another great season in 2020, where he committed just nine penalties and allowed only one sack. Both years, he was named a first-team All-Pro and earned a Pro Bowl nomination. The NFL squad also recognized his talent and ranked him 33rd on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2021.

In April 2021, the Colts opted for the fifth-year extension of Nelson’s contract, guaranteeing him $13.754 million for the 2022 season. His 2021 season was not without setback—an injury on the left foot warranted surgery. He also suffered a high ankle sprain but recovered after spending time on injured reserve.

Nelson’s 2022 season was extraordinary. He signed a four-year, $80 million contract extension and became the highest-paid guard in the league. He started in all 17 games, earning himself a fifth consecutive Pro Bowl. Similarly, he started all 17 games in the 2023 season and earned Pro Bowl honors for the sixth consecutive season. Nelson’s performance surpasses many records—he has the most total All-Pro selections and the most First Team All-Pro selections by a guard in franchise history. He is only the second player in the teams’s history to earn Pro Bowl honors in his first four seasons, making him an outstanding figure in the world of American football.