Minnesota quarterback quarterback Philip Nelson, who started nine games for the Gophers last season, announced that he will transfer. In a statement, Nelson said the reason for his transfer is because he wants to play in a more pass-oriented system.
“I want to thank Coach (Jerry) Kill for the opportunity to play football at the University of Minnesota. I have the utmost respect for Coach Kill and what he’s done for this program,” Nelson said. “I also want to reach out to all the great Minnesota fans that supported the football program and say thank you. Your effort makes a difference.
“For me, I am looking to play in a system that centers more around the pass game which utilizes my skill sets. I am excited to go out and meet with programs that match up with my talents.”
According to the Minnesota Star Tribune, Nelson met with Kill on Wednesday to tell him the news and according to Nelson’s father, Kill offered to use his contacts to help the quarterback find a landing spot in another program.
“Philip is a terrific young I want to thank Philip for the contributions he made to our football program both on and off the field. And I will do anything I can to help him both now and in the future,” Kill said in a statement.
Nelson started 16 games in his two years with the Gophers and threw for 17 touchdowns and ran for six, but he split time with Mitch Leidner during the 2013 season. He led the team with 1,670 yards of total offense in a system that leaned heavily toward the running game.
Nelson played just three series in a Texas Bowl loss to Syracuse, but Nelson’s father insisted that the talk of transferring started “a long time ago” and that the bowl game “had nothing to do with it.”
Nelson did not use a redshirt season, so he will have three years to use his final two years of eligibility.
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