Four-star TE, Nebraska 2024 commit Carter Nelson currently at Notre Dame for visit
Ainsworth (Neb.) High class of 2024 tight end Carter Nelson committed to Nebraska over Notre Dame at the end of June, but the Fighting Irish staff never gave up recruiting the elite prospect. And Notre Dame’s efforts have paid off to the point of a visit.
Blue & Gold’s Kyle Kelly spotted Nelson, who ranks as the nation’s No. 60 overall prospect and No. 5 tight end according to the 2024 On3 Industry Ranking, on Notre Dame’s campus Saturday, just a few hours before the start of the game against USC.
Nelson grew up in a family of diehard Cornhusker fans, but the 6-5, 220-pounder is not done with his recruiting process. The feeling is that he wouldn’t take the trip unless he was serious about Notre Dame, and he has a strong connection with the Irish staff and 2024 commits.
Nelson took official visits to Georgia, Nebraska, Notre Dame and Penn State before committing to the Huskers.
“They talked a lot about how they want to use Carter and how important he could be to their offense once he develops,” Nelson’s father, Jake, told Blue & Gold regarding their summer trip to South Bend. “He’s such a dynamic player that could help right away and for the push towards a championship run in the future. Seeing where they’re planning on putting him and how they’ll use them is the first time we’ve gotten to do that, so that was really good for us.”
Notre Dame already has a tight end commit from Charlotte (N.C.) Catholic’s Jack Larsen, the No. 488 overall prospect and No. 31 player at his position according to the 2024 On3 Industry Ranking. But with their 23 commitments in the 2024 class, the Irish staff is in search of the best available prospects they can potentially land, regardless of position.
Nebraska will be tough to overcome in the recruitment. He’s taken 13 recruiting trips to Lincoln, according to his On3 profile, which includes each of Nebraska’s home games this season. However, Nebraska is 3-3 this season, which included a 45-7 home setback against Michigan.
As a junior, Nelson threw for 663 yards and 15 touchdowns playing in eight-man football in Nebraska. He also had 525 yards receiving for another 11 scores and added 761 yards rushing and 14 touchdowns. On defense, he had 41 tackles and six interceptions.
In his first seven games of the 2023 season, and Nelson has been a huge part of Ainsworth’s undefeated record. He’s completed 40 of 61 passes for 492 yards with 6 touchdowns. He totaled 81 rushes for 813 yards and 14 touchdowns, and as a tight end/receiver, Nelson has 22 receptions for 412 yards and 10 touchdowns. Defensively, Nelson has 39 stops (3 tackles for loss), 3 interceptions, 2 fumble recoveries and 1 forced fumble.
