Salem Hills Standout John Nelson Commits To BYU Football

PROVO, Utah – BYU might not have a game this weekend but this has been an active week on the recruiting trail for the Cougars.

On Thursday night, the BYU football program received its second commitment for the class of 2020. Salem Hills lineman John Nelson made his commitment to BYU official on his personal social media account.

So grateful to go play for BYU. COMMITTED. #BYUFootball @coachtuiaki pic.twitter.com/cLc5DteWUE

— John Nelson (@johnnelson_65) October 25, 2019

Nelson a 6-4, 260-pound defensive tackle has been one of Salem Hill’s top performers this season. This season, Nelson and Salem Hills finished the regular season with a 9-1 record and earned the No. 1 seed in the 5A Playoffs bracket here in the state of Utah.

On the year, Nelson has racked up 48 tackles and six tackles for loss from the defensive tackle spot. Nelson is also the starting left tackle for the Seahawks.

In the past, Salem Hills produced one of the best football recruits the state of Utah has ever had in Porter Gustin. Gustin signed with USC in the class of 2015 and recently had a stint with the New Orleans Saints. Gustin is related to Nelson. The two are cousins.

Thanks to my cuz @PorterGustin
for all the advice and help! pic.twitter.com/jF7eBJPfou

— John Nelson (@johnnelson_65) July 19, 2019

The athletic family ties don’t stop there with the relationship to Gustin. Nelson’s older brother, James, was an MVP in the state of Utah in Class 4A for Boys Basketball as he led Salem Hills to their first-ever basketball title. Unlike James, John stopped playing basketball after his sophomore year and now focuses solely on football.

BYU offered Nelson after being one of the top defensive line performers at the Cougars summer camp this past June. Along with BYU, FCS programs Weber State and Idaho State have also offered Nelson.

With the addition of Nelson, BYU now has 18 commitments in the class of 2020 and a total of four defensive line commits.

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Nelson and Salem Hills have a first-round bye in the state playoffs and will next play on November 1st against the winner of the Maple Mountain-Bountiful game.

Recruits can officially sign their letters of intent during the early signing period beginning December 18th.

Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for KSLsports.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12-3 pm) on KSL Newsradio. Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper.