#56 JB Nelson — Like his fellow Big Ten transfer, George Fitzpatrick, senior offensive lineman JB Nelson (56) brings to us valuable College Football Playoff experience from his time with the Penn State Nittany Lions. | Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images

In which BracketCat counts down the 54th day until the 2025 kickoff with a profile of Kansas State offensive lineman JB Nelson.

NOTE: Kansas State has elected to advance players’ classification even though the 2020 season did not affect eligibility. Those who wish to take advantage of this extra year will be listed as a (“super”) senior again after their original eligibility would have been exhausted.

#54 JB Nelson

Redshirt Super Senior | 6-5 | 325 lbs. | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Position: Offensive Line
Previous Colleges: Lackawanna Community College; Pennsylvania State University
Projection: Starter
Status: On Scholarship

James B. Nelson (b. Jan. 31, 2002) is a highly experienced offensive lineman who transferred in from Penn State following spring camp and projects as a possible starting right tackle for the Wildcats this fall, or at the very least a starting or reserve guard.

A JUCO transfer with two seasons under his belt when he transferred to State College, Nelson played against Ohio, Central Michigan, Indiana and Utah in 2022 as he retained his redshirt. His appearance against Utah came in Penn State’s Rose Bowl victory.

Nelson was in for 126 offensive snaps on the year, with 99 coming at left guard and 27 at right guard, and he also saw time on field goal/extra point protection.

In 2023, he saw time in 11 games with eight starts, en route to All-Big Ten honorable mention accolades from the league’s coaches and media, and was in for 422 offensive snaps, which included 394 at left guard and 28 at left tackle.

Nelson helped Penn State to capture a 10-3 record and a trip to the Peach Bowl as he was an integral part of an offensive line that ranked 28th nationally in rushing offense (184.8), 19th in sacks allowed per game (1.23) and 10th in tackles for loss allowed per game (3.92).

Last season, he played in all 16 games as a regular member of the rotation and saw action on 228 offensive snaps, with 204 coming at left guard, 17 at left tackle and 11 at right tackle.

Nelson helped the Nittany Lions to a 13-3 record, which included victories in the College Football Playoff’s first round over SMU and the Fiesta Bowl quarterfinal over Boise State.

He was part of an offensive line that helped Penn State to rank 17th nationally in rushing offense (202.3), 23rd in sacks allowed per game (1.25) and ninth in tackles for loss allowed per game (3.81).

Prior to his time in State College, Nelson played under head coach Mark Duda at Lackawanna (Pa.) Community College, where he was rated the top overall community college prospect in the Class of 2022 by On3, while he was rated No. 2 by 247Sports and ESPN, and No. 4 by Rivals.

He also was viewed as the No. 1 offensive tackle prospect by ESPN and No. 2 by 247Sports.

Nelson started all 10 games in 2021, helping the Falcons to earn a 7-3 record, and he also played in two games during the COVID-shortened 2021 spring season (considered participation during 2020 that allowed him to gain an extra year of eligibility for 2025).

A three-year letterman and two-time all-conference performer under head coach Bob Palko at Mount Lebanon High School in Allegheny County, Pa., he was a three-year starter along the offensive and defensive lines who earned a pair of all-conference honors.

Nelson led the Blue Devils to the state semifinals as a senior, a season in which he finished with 45 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and four sacks. He was a two-year team captain who was named to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Fabulous 22 as a senior.

Prior to his transfer to K-State, Nelson originally committed to Penn State over offers from Maryland, NC State, Ole Miss and West Virginia.