Miami LT Zion Nelson gets ‘a tuneup.’ He’s in a full leg brace after minor knee surgery
The biggest news of Tuesday at the Miami Hurricanes’ media day belonged to the biggest body — or at least close to it — in attendance.
Miami Hurricanes left tackle Zion Nelson, a 6-5, 320-pound NFL prospect and projected first-rounder by several outlets, said he underwent surgery to remove “floating cartilage” in his left knee about three weeks ago and was given a six-to-eight-week timetable for making his return.
Though he wouldn’t give specifics, Nelson will likely miss the Sept. 3 opener against Bethune-Cookman. Nelson told the Miami Herald he would probably be in the weight room rehabbing and working out during Miami’s opening fall camp practice Friday morning.
Nelson’s backup, for now at least, is John Campbell, also 6-5 and 320 pounds. Campbell, a fifth-year redshirt junior, sat out the entire 2021 season with a torn ACL in his left knee that he said he sustained while falling during drills “just before fall camp.”
“These big guys need a tuneup every now and then,’’ said UM coach Mario Cristobal, who noted that Campbell “is already in the groove. We expect John to be one of the best players in the conference, actually in the country. We think that highlly of him. He has a lot of the same traits that Zion has.’’
“The position that those guys play, it comes with a lot. They both battled through some stuff.’’
Nelson: “It was a small procedure. Just got my knee cleaned up a little bit.”
That’s actually good news, as Nelson was seen in a July 16 Twitter photo in which he was wearing a full-length brace, under which was a thick, white wrap covering his leg. The photo had Canes fans worried, and for good reason. Nelson, a fourth-year junior who protects the blind side of vaunted UM quarterback Tyler Van Dyke, is a preseason All-ACC and on the Outland Trophy preseason watch list. He has played since his true freshman season and thrilled teammates and fans by announcing after the 2021 season that was choosing to return to UM after also being projected a 2022 first-rounder in mock drafts one year ago.
The Hurricanes, 7-5 in 2021, were ranked 19th of 130 FBS teams in total offense (448.8 yards per game) and 10th in passing offense (321.2).
“I’m not too worried about it. It looks more serious than it is,’’ said Nelson, who previously had surgery on the same knee. “This is just for protection type thing. I don’t want to be walking around and I tweak it or something like that. It shouldn’t be too bad, the timeline on it.
“I wanted to get that stuff cleared out before the beginning of the season.’’
UM offensive line coach Alex Mirabal said he is cross training every O-lineman this year and is “fired up for Campbell.’’ But he quickly added that DJ Scaife will “go play over there” as well as usual guard Jalen Rivers and Justice Oluwaseun, who played tackle and guard last season. “That cross training and versatility is something we’re always pushing for.’’
After the recent draft, the Sporting News projected Nelson would go to Pittsburgh with the 11th overall pick in its first-round mock draft. WalterFootball’s Charlie Campbell projected Nelson to be drafted 21st by the Houston Texans in his 2023 mock draft, and the draftscout.com projected him going to the Detroit Lions at No. 28.
“There’s a good bet the Steelers will try to land a franchise left tackle to better pass-protect Kenny Pickett in Year 2,’’ per the Sporting News. “Nelson’s athleticism is first-round caliber and expect him to get stronger in college as he made a wise decision to delay his pro entry.’’
Nelson said that “when it comes to [NFL] projections, things can be all over the place as far as how true they are. I just wanted to solidify myself as someone who could fulfill those projections.’’
I just want to get better than I was last year.’’
As for Campbell, he said the injury made him stronger. “Last year before I got hurt, that was the best offseason I had,’’ he said. “The injury just pushed me.’’
Lou Hedley praised
▪ Cristobal on UM sixth-year redshirt senior Lou Hedley, the Australian who draws plenty of stares with his tattooed body as well as his excellent punting: “I wanted to get to know the guy because I had seen him from afar for a couple of years and he looked like [professional wrestler] The Undertaker, right? He was all tatted up and built up and showed tremendous production on the field — very physical. I saw him making tackles.
“...Having coached a couple guys that have come from overseas, that comes with challenges. Just listening to him talk, he has a tremendous love for [UM] and his experience here. He has unfinished business he wants to take care of. He really wants to, and this is rare, he really, truly wants to take in the college football experience....
“He is extremely driven, extremely smart. This guy really understands the game of football... I would say I was more blown away by him than anything else.’’
This story was originally published August 2, 2022 at 6:14 PM.
