RaJa Nelson’s 74 video games: an unofficial, unbreakable Bison document? – InForum

FARGO — There had been no seen canes, walkers or medical aides to assist RaJa Nelson stroll round outdoors the North Dakota State soccer locker room this week. Heading into his faculty document 74th profession sport, the senior vast receiver appears to be like to be doing simply high quality.

It’s simply an incredible variety of video games for a school participant.

Nelson will break Braylon Henderson’s document of 73 video games this Saturday when the Bison host the University of St. Thomas at Gate City Bank Field on the Fargodome. On high of that, if NDSU makes a deep run within the FCS playoffs, Nelson may end his profession nearer to 80 video games than 70.

To put that in perspective, veteran Minnesota Vikings vast receiver Justin Jefferson has performed in 87 profession video games.

“I’ve experienced a lot of college football, learned a lot through all the games,” Nelson stated. “But I couldn’t do it without the training staff, the coaches and my teammates.”

The NCAA doesn’t maintain a document for profession video games performed. Nelson and Henderson are two of 4 gamers who’re a part of the Bison 70-games performed membership that features cornerback Jayden Price (71 video games from 2019-23) and offensive guard Nash Jensen (70 video games, 2018-22).

“Last year Braylon was like you’re going to break it and I said that’s obviously the goal only because I would be playing in every single game,” Nelson stated.

The truth the 5-foot-9, 175-pound Henderson and the 5-9, 196-pound Nelson have performed essentially the most video games is testomony that dimension doesn’t all the time matter in school soccer.

“He’s strong, RaJa is a strong individual,” stated Bison head coach Tim Polasek. “When the (NFL) scouts come in and talk, they’re impressed by him, the football player that he is. He’s rangy for a shorter guy. He is a lean, strong athlete with a competitive spirit. This guy is as good of a practice player as I’ve been around.”

Nelson performed in 10 video games as a real freshman within the spring season of 2021. He performed in 15 video games that following fall season in what might be thought to be a school soccer document of 25 video games in a single calendar yr.

“That only seems weird because we were playing in the spring,” Nelson stated. “It threw off any team that was playing in the spring.”

David Samson/ The Forum

He performed in 14 video games in 2022 adopted by 15 video games the following season. Injuries derailed final yr, however as a result of he performed as a real freshman, NDSU took benefit of the NCAA’s four-game eligibility rule that permits a participant throughout a redshirt season to play in 4 regular-season video games, with the playoffs not counting.

Nelson got here again for the postseason, performed in all 4 and was instrumental within the Bison successful the FCS nationwide title.

He endured a midsection harm that had him enjoying by means of ache that maybe loads of gamers wouldn’t have. The resolution was made through the season that he would play the 4 video games the place he was wanted essentially the most within the common season, which had been South Dakota State, North Dakota and South Dakota along with the season opener at Colorado the place he obtained harm.

Those conversations had been primarily with Polasek.

“He listened to what my dreams and aspirations are,” Nelson stated. “He allowed me to put it all on the table and what I would like to do. He gave me the opportunity to make the choice between the two. Everything happens for a reason and it all worked out.”

He had two touchdowns towards the Jackrabbits that was a springboard to the Bison attaining home-field benefit all through the playoffs.

“My teammates and my coaches have been in my corner through this,” Nelson stated.

The catalyst in fact to the 74 video games was the COVID-19 pandemic, which altered the principles of eligibility for gamers. Unless one thing like that occurs once more, Nelson’s video games performed document could stand for a very long time if not being thought-about a type of unbreakable group marks like Oklahoma soccer’s 47-game successful streak within the Fifties or Patrick Mahomes’ 819 yards of complete offense in a 2016 Texas Tech sport.

“I feel like looking back, I wouldn’t change it,” Nelson stated. “I love this place, it means a lot to me. It’s poured into me a lot and it’s given me the opportunity to live out my dream.”

Jeff Kolpack, the son of a reporter and an English instructor, and the brother of a reporter, labored on the Jamestown Sun, Bismarck Tribune and since 1990 The Forum, the place he is coated North Dakota State athletics since 1995. He has coated all 10 of NDSU’s Division I FCS nationwide soccer titles and has written 4 books: “Horns Up,” “North Dakota Tough,” “Covid Kids” and “They Caught Them Sleeping: How Dot Reinvented the Pretzel.” He can also be the radio host of “The Golf Show with Jeff Kolpack” April by means of August.