East Carolina adds ex-Gophers QB Philip Nelson as walk-on

Published September 13, 2015

Dec 27, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers quarterback Philip Nelson (9) hands the ball off during the first quarter of the Texas Bowl against the Syracuse Orange at Reliant Stadium . Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

GREENVILLE, N.C.

East Carolina has added former Minnesota quarterback Philip Nelson as a walk-on.

Coach Ruffin McNeill announced the addition of four walk-ons, including Nelson, after the Pirates held their first preseason practice Thursday night.

Nelson was involved in a fight outside a nightclub in Mankato, Minnesota, in May 2014 in which a former Minnesota State player suffered a serious brain injury.

Nelson was accused of kicking Isaac Kolstad in the head after Kolstad was punched during the fight. He pleaded guilty to misdemeanor fifth-degree assault, was sentenced to 100 hours of community service but avoided jail time.

Nelson threw for 2,179 yards and 17 touchdowns as the Gophers' starter from 2012-13. He transferred to Rutgers in January 2014 but was dismissed from the team after the fight.

URL

https://www.foxnews.com/sports/east-carolina-adds-ex-gophers-qb-philip-nelson-as-walk-on