ASU marks first D-I scholarship offer for 2020 Williams Field OL

Gilbert Williams Field offensive lineman Noah Nelson probably felt good anyway about today's performance at Arizona State's Marron and Gold camp, yet he certainly received formidable validation to that sentiment when his head coach and ASU alum Steve Campbell informed him that the Sun Devils offered him a scholarship, just the third in-state offer by the school for this class of players.

"It was a big surprise," Nelson said of today’s scholarship offer. “It was pretty cool that my first D-I offer came from them. The coaches said that they liked my size and intensity. Things I need to work on is not opening up and much and getting faster when I go up against the quick guys.

“I like how (offensive line) coach Sale was real personal and fixes the little things that I had going on. He’s a super cool guy and very energetic and he got me into beast mode when I was out there. I started slow and he gave me a pep talk and got me going. That definitely showed me that I have to keep my intensity level high at all times.”

The familiarity with the school is naturally appealing to Nelson who mentioned some other aspects that have already attracted him to ASU.

“I like all the coaches there,” Nelson commented. “It’s cool that it’s a hometown team. I liked how everybody is hyped on the team. It looks like it will be a cool team to be a part of.”

Nelson played three games during the regular season on the varsity squad for Williams Field High School who captured the state’s 5A championship in 2016. The offensive lineman, who also played on the junior varsity squad looking to expand his varsity role as well as help to Black Hawks try and grab a second consecutive state championship.

“It was super cool dressing up for the (varsity) games,” Nelson remarked. “It was also super cool to see us progress all the way up to that championship moment. Coach Campbell has taught me a whole lot and really helped me.

“I was super happy when coach Campbell called me about the offer,” Nelson described. “Coach Sale couldn’t come and directly talk to me (due to NCAA rules and Nelson being an underclassman). So, coach Campbell called and asked me ‘sounds like you had a good morning?’ and then told me about the offer.

“I wasn’t sure what the conversation would be about and I was happy with the outcome.”

Naturally Nelson is more than likely a couple years away from making his commitment, but the offensive lineman generally has a good idea of what factors will play a significant role in his ultimate decision.

“I’m going to look at the overall environment I’m walking into,” Nelson explained. “Seeing how everybody is on the team and having cool coaches.”