Red Raider Club Scholar Athlete of the Month: Justis Nelson
October 01, 2015 | Football
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October 1, 2015
Written by: Jordan Warren, Athletics Communications
Junior Texas Tech football player Justis Nelson not only works hard on the field and in the classroom, but in the community as well.
"It takes discipline," Nelson said. "You know, you have to finish practice, then work hard in the books, so I've been doing it my whole life. It's not too much but it definitely takes hard work."
Nelson is on track to graduate a year ahead of schedule with a degree in Sociology with a focus on criminology. Along with his major, he is working on a minor in Forensic Science.
Once he graduates with his undergraduate degree, Nelson is going to pursue his Master's Degree in Texas Tech's STEM Program during his last year of playing eligibility.
Once the junior graduates from Tech, he has dreams of becoming a local or FBI police officer.
"Originally when I was younger, I wanted to be a geologist," he explained. "I don't know why, I just liked rocks. But my mom is a police officer in Dallas and my dad was a police officer in Shreveport, LA, you know it kind of runs in my blood."
Nelson was named to the preseason watch-list for the Wuerffel Trophy, which is known as "College Football's Premier Award for Community Service." He was also nominated for the 2015 Allstate American Football Coaches Association 'Good Works' Team.
AuDrey Branch, the football program's academic advisor, says Justis is the epitome of what you would want to represent your program.
"If you think about Justis Nelson, you think about someone that you would look at and want them to represent your group in the community, in society, in life and who would be able to come back successful. Not only is he successful in the academic world, but he does a lot of community service and he does a lot of leadership programming."He volunteers at local schools as a guest reader and he also is a member of The 2nd and Seven Foundation which promotes reading in young athletes.
In 2014, Nelson was named to the Academic All-Big 12 First Team.
"It's an honor, (to be an All-Big12 Academic Athlete)" he said. "I know that my hard work is paying off and it's not going unnoticed. I'm glad to do things on and off the field."
Nelson says his mom is to thank for his focus and hard work in the classroom and on the field.
"She's always harped on getting good grades and not being able to go out and do other stuff without having the grades to go with it so my mom's been a big part. She comes to every game she's been a part of both football and academics."
Nelson represented Texas Tech at the 2015 Diversity and Leadership Conference.
According to the NCAA website, the conference "gives student athletes invaluable leadership skills, the experience of exploring the relationship between personal values, core beliefs and behavioral styles, and a thorough understanding of the NCAA as a whole."
Branch describes Nelson as a special kid. She says he is not only a leader on the field but in the classroom for his teammates and other student-athletes.
"He has great character and integrity," Branch explained. "He's so focused on things that he wants to do, goal driven, he has a purpose, and he represents everything that we have as a mission for this program. He's outstanding and he's community service oriented. There are so many things I could say about Justis. I love my guys, but this one is very special.
There is no question in my mind that Justis Nelson will be successful in life and be able to be a great representation to other student athletes and other football student athletes to come and look up to."
