Report: Former Minnesota quarterback Philip Nelson to transfer to Rutgers

In addition to 1,306 yards passing, Philip Nelson rushed for 364 yards and six scores in 2013. (Ann Heisenfelt/AP) Former Minnesota quarterback Philip Nelson
Report: Former Minnesota quarterback Philip Nelson to transfer to Rutgers
Report: Former Minnesota quarterback Philip Nelson to transfer to Rutgers /

In addition to 1,306 yards passing, Philip Nelson rushed for 364 yards and six scores in 2013. (Ann Heisenfelt/AP)

In addition to 1,306 yards passing, Philip Nelson rushed for 364 yards and six scores in 2013. (Ann Heisenfelt/AP)

Former Minnesota quarterback Philip Nelson will transfer to Rutgers, Bruce Feldman of CBSSports.com reports.

Nelson announced he would transfer from the Golden Gophers earlier this month. Due to the Big Ten's strict in-conference transfer rules, Nelson cannot wait until the summer to enroll at Rutgers. Instead he must enroll by Friday if he is to keep his two years of remaining eligibility after sitting out this season. The Scarlet Knights will join the Big Ten on July 1.

Nelson's father, Pat, told NJ.com on Tueday that the family hopes to preserve all of his son's remaining eligibility.

"It's unfortunate, but we understand the rules," Pat Nelson said. "There's no way we're going to give up a year of eligibility to play one. That doesn't make any sense."

Nelson threw for 1,306 yards and nine touchdowns, with six interceptions, for Minnesota in 2013. The Golden Gophers played musical chairs with Nelson and fellow quarterback Mitch Leidner throughout the season, with Nelson handling most of the duties in Minnesota’s four-game Big Ten win streak in the second half of the year. But he struggled in the Gophers’ 21-17 loss to Syracuse in the Texas Bowl and was pulled from the game early. Leidner came in to throw for 205 yards and two scores.

Gary Nova


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Zac Ellis
ZAC ELLIS

Zac Ellis joined SI.com in 2011 and has covered college football and basketball since 2012. In addition to features and columns, he is SI’s primary Heisman Trophy analyst.