BIOGRAPHY
Anthony Nelson was born on March 4, 1997, in Urbandale, Iowa. He is a defensive end and outside linebacker in the National Football League.
Nelson played college football at Iowa. Nelson was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the fourth round, 107th overall, of the 2019 NFL Draft.
During high school, Nelson was named to Des Moines Register Elite all-state team as a senior and first-team all-state by Iowa Newspaper Association, was Class 4A Western Iowa Defensive Player of the Year as a senior and named to Elite Western Iowa team and. first team all-district as a senior. He was a two-year starter at defensive end and the team captain as a senior. He recorded 33 solo tackles and 18 assists, with 21.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks as a senior, with five forced/recovered fumbles and 12 pass break-ups. Nelson recorded 29 solo tackles and 12 assists as a junior, with 7.5 tackles for loss, five sacks, five forced fumbles, four recovered fumbles, and 12 pass break-ups. He was also member of prep basketball team, serving as team captain, earning first-team all-conference honors as a junior, averaging 14.1 points and 9.3 rebounds per game as a junior, as team posted 18-5 record while winning district and conference titles.
He redshirted during 2015, and on 2016, he won Academic All-Big Ten and Big Ten Conference Freshman of the Week following 45-21 win over Miami. By 2016, Anthony played on all 13 games, with one start, he recorded 33 tackles, including 15 solo stops and 18 assists, raking second on team in sacks (7-39) and tackles for loss (8-43), while adding two forced fumbles, one pass break-up and three QB pressures. He saw first action of his career in 45-21 win over Miami.
During the 2017 season, Nelson won First Team CoSIDA Academic All-America, Big Ten Distinguished Scholar Award, Academic All-Big Ten for second year and was named to CoSIDA Academic All-America All-District team. He also won third team All-Big Ten by league media, honorable mention All-Big Ten by league coaches and preseason third team All-Big Ten by Athlon Sports. He recorded 41 tackles, including 21 solo tackles and 20 assists, leading the team with 7.5 sacks, while also collecting 9.5 tackles for loss, four pass break-ups, two forced fumbles and a blocked field goal. On 2018 Anthony was named to CoSIDA Academic All-America second-team, Academic All-Big Ten for third year,and second-team All-Big Ten by league media and third team by coaches. He was also third-team All-Big Ten by Phil Steele, CoSIDA Academic All-America All-District team for second straight year, Team Hustle Award, on defense, named Big Ten Conference Co-Defensive Player of the Week for his play in win over Nebraska and Big Ten Conference Defensive Player of the Week for his play in win at Minnesota. Nelson was named to Bednarik Award preseason Watch List and named to Lott IMPACT Trophy preseason Watch List, winning also preseason second-team All-Big Ten by Athlon Sports. He ranked second on the team in tackles for loss (13.5-67) and sacks (9.5-63), and ranked eighth on team with 45 tackles.
In Week 16 of the 2020 season against the Detroit Lions, Nelson recorded his first career sack on David Blough during the 47–7 win. Nelson was a part of the Super Bowl LV champions Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He recorded four solo tackles across the postseason, including one in the Super Bowl.
On March 16, 2023, Nelson signed a two-year contract extension with the Buccaneers.
