12/8/2016 football Edit

Notre Dame’s Quenton Nelson A Sports Illustrated All-American

Nelson, a junior left guard with a bright NFL future, was a second-team selection by SI. (Bill Panzica)

Matt Jones • InsideNDSports

Staff

Despite a 4-8 finish to the season, Notre Dame has at least one All-American.

Junior left guard Quenton Nelson was named a second-team All-American by Sports Illustrated, the publication announced Thursday.

Nelson, a second-year starter, played every first-team snap at left guard in 2016 alongside senior left tackle Mike McGlinchey and junior center Sam Mustipher.

Notre Dame averaged 163.3 rushing yards per game this season. The offensive line allowed 28 sacks, which ranked 84th in the country.

The 6-5, 325-pound Nelson has two seasons of eligibility remaining. He could, however, forgo those seasons and declare for the NFL Draft.

ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. rates Nelson as the No. 1 offensive guard in the 2017 draft class. Various mock drafts also are high on Nelson, who could be a first-round pick.

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