Carter Nelson has the clutch gene on top of everything else

Carter Nelson is special. The Nebraska football signee continues to show it in different ways and on Friday, he not only flashed his freakish athletic ability again. But he also flashed the clutch gene.

Playing for Ainsworth in the Nebraska D-1 high school baskeball state tournament, the Bulldogs needed a hoop in the final seconds to advance. Lo and behold, the ball reached Nelson, the do-it-all standout who dominated 8-man football for Ainsworth.

Nebraska football signee hits a game-winning shot

Nelson declined to enroll early for Nebraska football so he could have a final baskeball season, with his dad, who is the head coach, and with their season on the line, Nelson sank a turnaround shot from the paint and sent Ainsworth to the state championship game.

Carter Nelson’s bucket with a couple seconds left gives Ainsworth a 54-53 win over GACC. He finished with 11 points.

Bulldogs are headed to the Class D-1 state championship. pic.twitter.com/laVWFUsJa0

— Steve Marik (@Steve_Marik) March 8, 2024

You might be asking what this has to do with football. There might not be a direct correlation, but I’ll take a guy who wants the ball in his hands at the end of the game on my team anytime.

Nebraska football has struggled at the end of games…for years and having a guy like Nelson who wants the ball in that situation, can’t hurt.

Momentum. Shift.

Carter Nelson of @go_ahsbulldogs creates on defense, and finishes with the big slam!

Bulldogs and GACC in a good one at The Bob.#nebpreps | @nsaahome | #huskers pic.twitter.com/hIyAZkJPp4

— Striv Sports (@strivsports) March 8, 2024

It also doesn’t hurt to have a 6-foot-5, 225-pound athlete who can pull off slam dunks like this. That athleticism is fun to watch on the basketball court, yet just imagine what it’ll look like on Tom Osborne field in a Nebraska football uniform.

I’ve barely been able to contain my excitement about Nelson. He’s a superstar in the making and during the first two days of the Nebraska basketball state tournament, you can see why. The kid just has it.

I can’t put my finger on what that is, but I have a strong feeling that won’t be the last clutch play we see Carter Nelson make in the coming years in the state of Nebraska.

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