Following a promising high school career capped by a state championship, Arkansas junior linebacker Jerico Nelson faced a choice similar to that of many of his former Destrehan High School teammates.
Unlike Jai Eugene, Tim Molton and Jordan Jefferson, however, Nelson signed with Arkansas rather than heading to nearby powerhouse LSU.
His reasoning was as uncommon as his decision.
Nelson was Destrehan’s starting running back during its 2007 undefeated season, rushing for 22 touchdowns in 15 games. However, he also played strong safety and, despite being recruited by most schools as a running back, selected Arkansas because he was able to play defense there. Video: Jefferson Interview
After spending his first two years in Fayetteville, Ark., as a safety, Nelson switched to linebacker before the 2010 season.
He has validated the switch by recording nine tackles for a loss and wrapping up 72 total tackles, the Razorbacks’ second-highest amount this season.
Additionally, Nelson returned an interception 39 yards for a touchdown against Vanderbilt, his first pick-six in college.
Back in high school, another pick-six immediately endeared him to former coach Stephen Robicheaux after transferring to Destrehan from John Curtis Christian School in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.
“The first play of the first game he was at Destrehan, he picked off a pass and went 20 yards for a touchdown, and we knew we had something special,” Robicheaux said. “This is going to be a bold statement because I’ve been fortunate enough at Destrehan to coach a lot of players, but he’s probably the most football-savvy guy I’ve ever been around.”
Nelson’s high school statistics give credence to that statement. He racked up more than 1,000 rushing yards in his final two seasons of high school while also intercepting 10 passes in his three years at Destrehan.
“I never had any qualms about putting him at safety, putting him at linebacker,” Robicheaux said. “He’s a kid that loves the game, studies the game, and that’s why he’s so successful today.”
Saturday marks the third time LSU junior quarterback Jordan Jefferson and Nelson will face off in college — former teammates who are now not only opponents but also on opposite sides of the ball.
“Jerico was my running back in high school, so we had a tight relationship,” Jefferson said. “And then I played basketball with him at a younger age, so I’ve been knowing him for a while.”
The game in 2008 — a 31-30 Arkansas win — introduced a unique dynamic to the friendship, but Jefferson said he quickly adjusted to being hit by his close friend.
“He came after me a few times in [high school] practice, so I’m kind of used to going against him,” he said. “And I’ve played against him before. It’s not weird. It was weird my freshman year, but now that I’ve been here three years, I’m kind of focused on winning the game.”
Jefferson, for his part, is looking forward to the matchup.
“This game is more than LSU versus Arkansas,” he said. “It’s basically a personal game between me and him.”
When asked about how they compare, however, he shied away from giving either Nelson or himself the advantage.
“We’re probably slightly different, but we’re about the same personality,” he said. “We’re both competitors. We have that drive to win. I know going into this game he’s going to give everything he has, so I have to be prepared for that.”
This edition will also serve as a delayed Thanksgiving reunion between Nelson, Jefferson and Robicheaux, who is driving to Little Rock, Ark., to attend the game. It will also be the final regular season game of another of his former players, LSU senior safety Jai Eugene.
“We’re so excited about going to the Arkansas game because I haven’t seen [Nelson] play in person yet [since high school],” Robicheaux said. “I can’t wait to be up there and see him.”
 
 
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Contact Ryan Ginn at [email protected]