2022 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Aaron Nelson, WR, Delaware Valley University

• Name: Aaron Nelson
• Position: Wide Receiver
• College: Delaware Valley University
• Height: 6’0
• Weight: 185
• Twitter: @aaron_n7
• Instagram: @aaronn_10_

What makes you a top prospect at your position  in the 2022 NFL Draft?

• What makes me a top prospect and separates me from most is my speed and ability to consistently get open.

At what age were you first interested in the sport of football?

• I was interested in football at the age of 10 years old. It’s among the reasons why I wear the number 10 so proudly.

What is one thing that NFL teams should know about you?

• One thing NFL teams should know about me is how much of a hard worker I am. You can ask my peers, teachers, employer, co-workers, teammates, coaches, etc. There wouldn’t be a different answer from any one of them. Whether I’m on the field, classroom, or work, my sense of urgency to get the job done right is still the same.

If you could donate to one cause in the world, what would it be?

• If I could donate to one cause it would be to any bullying prevention foundation. Bullying has crushed so many kids and their dreams. It’s a shame and nobody deserves to have to go through that. The love needs to outshine the hate and that goes for all ages.

What is the best advice you have ever received?

• It doesn’t matter if you play Division 1, 2, or 3. If you’re good the people at the next level are going to find you.

Who was your childhood hero?

• My childhood and everyday hero would have to be my mother. There’s nobody in this world as strong as that woman is. She single handedly raised me into the man I am today. I wouldn’t be where I’m at today or even in this position to do this interview without her.

Who is the most underrated teammate in your locker room at your school?

• There’s actually two guys I’ve played with that deserve recognition. A guy that goes by the name of John “3rd Down” Davis. He’s a baller and the type of receiver that you would trust your life with in big moments. I’m going to miss playing with him the most. Whether you were right or wrong #3 had your back. I don’t think he knows it, but he was one of few that inspired me. I would take him over anybody from any division. Another ex-teammate of mine named Juwan Manigo was underrated. He was special to me because of his effort and willingness to lay it all out on the field. Juwan was a human highlight reel and made everyone around him better. I’d strap my pads up with that guy any day of the week against anybody. There’s no quit in that man and as a football player that’s all you can ask for.

What is your biggest pet peeve?

• My biggest pet peeve is being around people who don’t work as hard as me. It’s irritating beyond belief when I’m trying to be the best I can be with people who aren’t.

Overcoming adversity is what defines character, what was the hardest moment in your life to overcome?

• Overcoming the fact that I didn’t receive any offers or interest from colleges after high school… not even from my home state. A lot of people don’t know this, but DelVal didn’t even have interest in me at first. I essentially walked on to their program and the rest was history. I’m forever grateful for the opportunity Coach Greco gave me. But to get back to the question, this was a very hard moment for me. I was hurt mentally and felt like I wasn’t good enough for any program. I had to look myself in the mirror and refuse to take no for an answer. It made me into the player I am today, so I wouldn’t take it back for anything.

Tell me something about your school and why it is so special to you?

• My school is actually an agricultural school, which surprises a lot of people who ask. Delval is special to me because of the family atmosphere the university provides, which makes it feel like a home away from home. It’s also so very special to me because it was the first fair opportunity I was given with football. Coach Greco gave me a platform to perform on and that’s something that I prayed my entire life for.  

What is your favorite snack food?

• I would have to go with combos. I could eat those all day long.

What is the best part of football?

• For me, it’s having the ability to give the community something to cheer for on Saturday’s . I love the preparation week before the show on Saturday’s. There’s nothing that compares to the blood, sweat and tears you share with your teammates during the practice week. And then to be able to showcase how hard you’ve worked to the crowd, by a dominating performance makes it sweeter.

If you could sell yourself in one sentence what would you say?

• I’m the only underdog you should feel comfortable with putting your money on.

If you could compare your play to one player in the NFL who would it be?

• I would compare my style of play to Desean Jackson. A deep threat receiver that can take the top off of any defense.

If you could have dinner with three people dead or alive, who would it be and why?

• Michael Jordan, Bill Belichick, and Tom Brady. All three of these men have a great level of respect for the game that they compete/competed in. Nothing matters more than a win and that’s the company I like to be surrounded with.