The Atlanta Falcons chose Jack Nelson with the No. 218th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. They selected a versatile, battle-tested offensive lineman who has a history of consistency and toughness.
After a prestigious collegiate career that included excelling at many positions and anchoring one of the Big Ten’s most reliable offensive lines, the former University of Wisconsin standout is now entering the league.
A Proven Leader at Wisconsin
Nelson embarked on his NFL journey as a full-time starter in 2021. In 2021 and 2022, due to his quick reliability in the trenches, he was given All-Big Ten Honorable Mention honors.
Pro Football Focus gave him an 83.1 pass-blocking grade in his 2022 campaign, making him the highest pass-blocking grade for a Wisconsin lineman since Rimington Trophy winner Tyler Biadasz in 2019.
Nelson’s versatility and football intelligence proved to be evident when he started at both right guard (2021) and left tackle (2022-2023) at the end of his career. In addition to excelling in school, they recognized him as an Academic All-Big Ten in both 2022 and 2023.
Nelson’s durability was well known, and he started every game in his final three seasons, which helped Wisconsin’s offense rank among the conference’s best in rushing, third-down conversions, and minimizing turnovers.
Preparing for the Pros with AUE Performance
Nelson, despite his collegiate success, acknowledged that the transition to the NFL would necessitate refinement. His preparation for the next level involved working with Augustine Ume-Ezeoke, who is the founder of AUE Performance.
Ume-Ezeoke, a respected trainer who has assisted many players in making the NFL, talked to Heavy.com about Nelson’s game and how they adapted his training.
Q&A with Augustine Ume-Ezeoke on Training Jack Nelson
1. Jack Nelson has a unique blend of size and athleticism. What was your initial assessment of his game, and where did you see the most room for growth?
From day one, Jack stood out with his natural size, lateral mobility, and raw strength. He moved like a much smaller athlete, which is rare for someone his size. That said, the area with the most growth potential was his body controlâspecifically in how he anchored against power and redirected against speed. His hands were fast, but not always efficient, and he had room to grow in timing and strike placement.
2. From a mental standpoint, how would you describe Jackâs approach to the grind of pre-draft training and beyond?
Dialed in. Jack treated every training day like a business meetingâshowed up early, asked sharp questions, and held himself accountable. He wasnât just trying to get through the work; he was trying to master it. That edge translated into consistent progress.
3. Were there any standout moments during training when Jack surprised youâeither with his resilience, intelligence, or adaptability?
“Jack is a Midwest guyâhardworking, blue-collar, and straightforward. That in itself makes him unique, especially considering that many of the other individuals we work with are also blue-collar workers.
4. How did Jack handle feedback and critique throughout the process? What made him coachable in your eyes?
“Well, what made him coachable? I think Iâve mentioned this before. We were blessed with a lot of great kids. All 22 of them were really excellentârespectful, hard-working individuals. Whatever we told them, they made the adjustments and handled it like professionals. They were punctual, stayed a little after practice when needed, and focused on recovery. Rest Jackson was one of those guys.”
5. Now that heâs with the Falcons, how do you see Jackâs skill set fitting into their offensive line room and overall strategy?
Heâs a perfect mold for what Atlanta wantsâathletic enough to operate in their wide-zone system, but powerful enough to anchor in pass pro. He adds positional versatility and brings a no-nonsense work ethic that fits the culture the Falcons are building.
6. Whatâs one trait or quality that fans in Atlanta might not know about Jack yetâbut will come to appreciate as he develops?
His football IQ. Jack doesnât just play with physicalityâhe plays with vision. He sees stunts, recognizes tendencies, and communicates pre-snap. Heâs going to be a quiet glue guy who holds down a side of the line without needing the spotlight.
7. In your view, what is Jackâs ceiling as an NFL tackle, and what must he continue to refine to reach it? His ceiling is as a long-term starterâpossibly even a Pro Bowl-caliber right tackle. To get there, he needs to keep sharpening his lateral quickness and continue refining his timing against more nuanced pass rushers. But the foundation is solidâand rare.
8. Looking back, what makes Jack Nelson different from other offensive linemen, you’ve worked with?
Itâs the mix of humility and hunger. Jack never walked in like he had it all figured out, but he also never backed down from a challenge. That balance of confidence and coachability is hard to findâand harder to maintain under pressure.
9. What does it mean to you personally to see someone you trained take the next step and walk into an NFL locker room?
Itâs the reason I do this. Seeing a guy like Jack walk into that locker room knowing the work he put inâitâs incredibly fulfilling. Iâm proud, but more than anything, Iâm grateful to have played a small part in his journey.
Looking Ahead
Nelson’s initial action is not taking place. He brings valuable experience, technical skills, and professional-level preparation to Atlanta. Nelson’s adaptability and hard work can be utilized by the Falcons to build a strong offensive line and prepare for the future.
Jack Nelson arrives in the NFL with his Wisconsin pedigree and the refinement he gained under AUE Performance, confident that the seventh round was only the first step in a promising career.
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This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
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