Cavaliers Now

Virginia OT Ryan Nelson Declares for NFL Draft

Nelson started 49 games on the offensive line over the last four seasons for the Cavaliers

Matt Newton

Photo courtesy of Geoff Burke/USA TODAY Sports

Virginia offensive lineman Ryan Nelson announced he will be declaring for the 2022 NFL Draft in a social media post on Friday night. 

"... I will be finishing my masters degree in the spring to become a double Hoo and declaring for the 2022 NFL Draft," Nelson said in the post. 

After redshirting his first year at UVA in 2017, Nelson started in 49 games over the last four seasons at left tackle and left guard. The 6'6", 315-pound offensive lineman from Buena Park, California was named to the 2021 ACC Academic Honor Roll and was on Phil Steele's All-ACC Fourth Team this season. 

"These last four and a half years have been truly memorable," Nelson said. "My memories of playing in Scott Stadium will be with me forever. While we had our ups and downs, I will always have a special place for Charlottesville in my heart." 

With the departure of Nelson, UVA will be losing all six of its regular rotation offensive linemen. Joe Bissinger (SMU), Bobby Haskins (USC), Olusegun Oluwatimi (Michigan), and Ryan Swoboda (UCF) have transferred out and Chris Glaser has no eligibility remaining. 

Click here for the updated Virginia football transfer portal. 

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Matt Newton
MATT NEWTON

Matt launched Virginia Cavaliers On SI in August of 2021 and has since served as the site's publisher and managing editor, covering all 23 NCAA Division I sports teams at the University of Virginia. He is from Downingtown, Pennsylvania and graduated from UVA in May of 2021.

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