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Notre Dame Football: Quenton Nelson Makes Sporting News Midseason All-America Team

By Andrew Hall

SAN ANTONIO, TX - NOVEMBER 12: Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly leads his team onto the field before the start of their game against Army in a NCAA college football game at the Alamodome on November 12, 2016 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO, TX - NOVEMBER 12: Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly leads his team onto the field before the start of their game against Army in a NCAA college football game at the Alamodome on November 12, 2016 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images) /
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News flash: Notre Dame Football’s Quenton Nelson belongs among the nation’s best players.

On Monday, The Sporting News announced their 2017 midseason All-American. Not surprisingly, Senior Left Guard Quenton Nelson made the list along the Offensive Line.

Nelson joins Alabama’s Bradley Bozeman, Washington State’s Cody O’Connell, Oklahoma’s Orlando Brown and Clemson’s Mitch Hyatt as the Offensive Linemen.

Several opponent players made the list as well. At one of the Running Back positions, Stanford’s Bryce Love garnered All-American honors. He currently leads the FBS in rushing with 1,387 yards. Stopping the Cardinal Running Back on Thanksgiving weekend may be impossible.

N.C. State Tight End (or whatever position he plays that day) Jaylen Samuels was featured on the list. Although Sporting News lists Samuels as a Tight End, he plays all over the field. Notre Dame will need to focus on him in order to pull off a victory on Oct. 28.

Samuels is not the only Wolfpack player on the list. Defensive End Bradley Chubb also landed on the All-American team. His matchup with Mike McGlinchey and the aforementioned Quenton Nelson will be something to watch in a few weeks.

Georgia Linebacker Roquan Smith found his name on the list. Smith dominated in the Bulldogs’ victory over the Irish.

Quenton Nelson’s Draft Stock

Despite another year of eligibility, Nelson definitely departs for the NFL following this season. His draft status is high and he will earn his degree in the spring. There is no reason for Nelson to stay other than to pursue more on-field success with Notre Dame as a team.

One mock draft currently lists Nelson as the 4th selection in the 2018 NFL Draft. He definitely will immediately become one of the best Offensive Guards in the league when he steps foot on a pro field. However, 4th is too high for an Offensive Guard. Other positions simply demand more attention during the early picks. Nelson is a first round lock and perhaps a Top 10 player. However, Guards are not taken that early.

Note: Mike McGlinchey is listed as the 3rd pick in the same mock draft.

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