NFL Draft Profile: Zion Nelson, Offensive Lineman, Miami Hurricanes
#60
Pos: OT
Ht: 6050
Wt: 309
Hand: 1078
Arm: 3468
Wing: 8348
40: 5.20
DOB: 1/9/2001
Hometown: Sumter, SC
High School: Sumter
Eligibility: 2023
Zion Nelson
Miami Hurricanes
One-Liner:
This is a big, strong and consistent presence on Miami’s offensive line. He is also an absolute technician in pass protection and rarely gets beat.
Evaluation:
His consistency is off the charts, meaning you can depend on him bringing everything he’s got every game day. One of the better pass blockers in the class and has the ability/potential to become the top offensive lineman overall. He is a big physical presence on the Miami offensive line and a technician in pass protection. He is quick getting out of his stance and has a great initial punch that stifles the pass rusher. He has long arms with very strong hands and is able to keep pass rushers at bay. He is also very athletic for his size and is a smooth mover who gets upfield very easily. Though he didn’t do it often, he is good at pulling across the line. He has great hip flexibility and can snap them in any direction to seal off running lanes. That being said, run blocking is definitely a weak point for him. It’s interesting because he always knows what he is doing and is in the right spot at all times, but he isn’t aggressive enough, which is his biggest problem. He has the technique you want to see and is a very smart player, but it looks as if he is always trying to pass block in running situations. He punches and stays stationary instead of drive-blocking opponents. If he is coached up on finishing his blocks and burying opponents, then he will have no problem being a force in the run game.
Grade:
3rd Round
Background:
Zion Nelson is a returning starting offensive linemen for the Hurricanes after his great 2021 season where he warned All ACC Honorable Mention. As a sophomore in 2020, he started seven games which shows his playing time has increased. He was a three star prospect out of high school and was the twenty ninth best player in South Carolina and the one hundredth best offensive tackle in the nation. Zion is from Sumter, South Carolina and attended Sumter High School.
