DE Bryce Nelms reveals unique Rutgers ties on verge of weekend visit

The West Orange High School Mountaineers added some talent this offseason as offensive tackle/defensive end Bryce Nelms joined the program. The class of 2019 prospect moved to New Jersey this past year from Fairburn, Georgia.

"I relocated here to New Jersey from Georgia because mygGrandmother is a cancer survivor,” Nelms told Scarlet Nation. "By that I mean that my parents wanted us as a family to be closer to her, so she would be able to see me play more. I was born here in Jersey and both my mom and dad have a lot of family here too. My dad's job is actually based in New Jersey. I ended up landing in West Orange because that is where my Aunt lives, she’s a Rutgers graduate class of ’88.”

Nelms originally played for Langston Hughes High School in Fairburn, Ga. And after only playing a few games in New Jersey, he admits there are some noticeable differences between the two states.

"I’d say the biggest difference is the size of the schools. Georgia high schools are heavily populated so you get a lot of kids that come out to play. In New Jersey, the teams are not as large but the talent is still just as great.”

The 6-foot-6, 275-pound Nelms is set to take his first visit to Rutgers this weekend. As it turns out, he has an interesting connection to the university.

"I’m headed to Rutgers this weekend for a game visit versus Purdue. Let me tell you why I would like to play for Rutgers in the future,” Nelms said. “My grandpa was actually raised by his paternal aunt, she was basically my great grandmother. She was also a civil rights activist and the first African American woman seated on the Rutgers board of trustees. Her name was Bessie Nelms-Hill and Hill Hall on campus is actually named after her.

“I would love for the chance to be able to attend and represent the school that she fought to allow equality for minority students. It would mean the absolute world to me and it would just help complete her legacy at Rutgers.”

Along with Rutgers, Nelms was being recruited by a host of other programs.

"I was also fairly heavily recruited in Georgia and stay in touch with all of my recruiting coaches from the schools that were interested in me when I was down there. I’ve heard from coaches from Georgia, Georgia Tech, Tennessee, Virginia Tech, UNC, FSU, Penn State, Syracuse, NC State and Troy.”