Rutgers is joining the Big Ten next year, and on Wednesday the Scarlet Knights added a quarterback with experience in their new conference when Minnesota starter Philip Nelson transferred to Piscataway.
Nelson started 16 games over his two seasons with the Gophers, but appeared to be overtaken late last season by Mitch Leidner. Nelson threw for 2,179 yards and 17 touchdowns, while adding another 548 yards and six scores on the ground in his two seasons. This past season he threw for 1,306 yards, nine touchdowns and six picks while completing 50.5 percent of his passes.
The strong-armed Nelson said this month he was leaving run-oriented Minnesota to find an offensive scheme that “utilizes my skill-sets.” Rutgers will add ex-Maryland head coach Ralph Friedgen as offensive coordinator, a position he held with San Diego when the Chargers went to the 1996 Super Bowl and at Georgia Tech when the Yellow Jackets shared the 1990 national title.
Usually players transferring within the Big Ten lose a year of eligibility; but since Rutgers is in the AAC and doesn’t officially join the conference until July 1, Nelson will be able to play two years after sitting out next season. He guided Minnesota to an 8-5 mark with wins over Penn State, Nebraska and Northwestern.