RECRUITING: Iowa State hosting Illinois graduate transfer safety for official this weekend

Nov 11, 2017; Champaign, IL, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini defensive back Patrick Nelson (21) tackles Indiana Hoosiers tight end Ian Thomas (80) during the first quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Granse-USA TODAY Sports

Iowa State will host Illinois graduate transfer safety Pat Nelson, according to a report by CycloneAlert’s Alex Halsted.

Nelson, a former three-star recruit out of Chicago, was third on the team in 2017 recording 65 tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss. He recorded 140 tackles in his two seasons on the field for the Fighting Illini and five tackles for loss.

He also recorded two pass breakups, two forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery. Nelson was named to ESPN’s All-Freshman team following his redshirt freshman season in 2016.

Nelson was considered the No. 91 safety prospect in the country and No. 23 player in Illinois in the 2015 recruiting class out of Hales Franciscan. He would likely have two years of eligibility remaining after graduating following his redshirt sophomore season.

Iowa State is looking to replace both of its starting safeties in 2018 following the graduations of Kamari Cotton-Moya and Reggie Wilkerson. The Cyclones also need to replace defensive back starting Evrett Edwards.

Iowa State has already cushioned those losses with the addition of JUCO safety Greg Eisworth but is expected to be a player in the graduate transfer defensive back market. Nelson’s visit this week confirms that suspicion.

Stay tuned to Cyclone Fanatic for more on this story.