Why?

He’s got what might be the coolest nickname on the team: “The Salem Sandman,” as in putting the opposition to sleep with his hard hits.

The former Salem Hills standout is healthy after a tough 2023 and should be a big contributor on this year’s defense. The Cougars struggled to stop the run in Big 12 play last season, especially after Nelson went out. In seven games, he produced 28 tackles, six tackles for loss and three sacks.

So it’s his turn to answer “20 Questions.”

Daily Herald: Who’s the biggest hitter on the team?

John Nelson: “I’ve got to go with Harrison Taggart (So. LB). Or Talan Alfrey (Jr. DB) . Those guys hit pretty hard.”

DH: Who’s the fastest player on the team?

JN: “It would have to be Parker Kingston (So. WR) or J-Rob (Sr. CB Jakob Robinson).”

DH: Who’s the craziest? (The Justin Luettgerodt Award)

JN: “Let’s see, who’s a crazy individual? Last year I gave the nickname ‘Crazy Eyes Cravy’ to (defensive tackle) Jackson Cravens. But he graduated. I would say Harrison Taggart is pretty crazy. When he’s in football mode, he’s definitely in football mode. There ain’t no getting him out of it.”

DH: Who’s the most talented in something other than football?

JN: “That’s a hard question. Parker Kingston is pretty good at golf. That’s something.”

DH: Who’s the smartest? (The Matt Bauman Award)

JN: “Sam Dawe (So. OL). He’s the smartest. He’s going to be a doctor.”

DH: Who’s the smoothest with the ladies?

JN: “Definitely myself. I guess if I have to say another person, I’d say Josh Singh (Jr. DT).”

DH: Who THINKS he’s the smoothest with the ladies but really has no game?

JN: “Brayden Keim (Sr. OL), for sure. No game.”

DH: Who does the best coach impression?

JN: “Shoot, are the coaches going to see this? (He’s assured they won’t). I do a pretty good Coach (Jay) Hill. But Tyler Batty (Sr. DE) does a pretty good Coach (Kelly) Poppinga impression. He just keeps talking.”

DH: Who talks the most trash?

JN: “It would have to be Isaiah Bagnah (Sr. DE) or Tyler Batty.”

DH: Who’s the quietest?

JN: “The quietest dude that’s on the field a lot is probably Micah Harper (Jr. DB).”

DH: Who’s the best dancer? (The Ben “Mongoose” Criddle Award)

JN: “Me, obviously. No, but I’d say Chika Ebunoha (So. DB) is probably the best dancer.”

DH: Who’s the worst dancer?

JN: “Definitely Braden Keim.”

DH: Who’s the funniest?

JN: “We’ve got so many funny dudes. Braden Keim is really fun. Weylin Lapuaho (Jr. OL) is really funny. David Latu (Jr. DT) is really funny. Actually, I got a lot of jokes lined up.” (Nelson didn’t offer one for an example. Probably for the best)

DH: Who drives the ugliest car? (The JD Falslev Award)

JN: “Brayden Keim. He’s got a 2000 Toyota Tundra. Don’t let him fool you. It’s ugly.”

DH: Who’s the best video game player?

JN: “David Latu. He plays Fortnight and War Zone.”

DH: Who’s the best dressed?

JN: “That would be Ryner Swanson (Fr. TE). He’s a kid from California. He’s really got a style to him.”

DH: Who’s the best looking? (The Matt Berry Award)

JN: “Best looking has to be John Nelson. Next question.” (He’s too big to argue with, so I move on)

DH: Who’s got the messiest locker? (The Bracken El-Bakri Award)

JN: “I’ve got a really messy locker, I’m not going to lie. And David Latu has a messy locker.”

DH: Who’s the best basketball player?

JN: “Definitely Jo Jo Phillips (So. WR). He’s really good.”

DH: Who’s most likely to be a millionaire in something other than football in 20 years? (The Taysom Hill Award)

JN: “That would be Connor Pay (Sr. OL). He getting an entrepreneurship degree or something. He’s really got a business mind. He’s got stuff on the side making money.”