Built Different: Levi Nelson Is Emerging as a Fast-Rising EDGE in Florida’s 2029 Class

Jacksonville, Florida – Florida football doesn’t wait for potential to catch up; it demands production. As a freshman at Ponte Vedra High School, Levi Nelson didn’t just step into the lineup; he announced himself as a problem for opposing offenses. At 6’3”, 205 pounds with a laser-verified 1.44-second 10-yard split, Nelson brings a rare blend of length, burst, and effort to the defensive front. In just 6.25 games, the 14-year-old freshman made his presence felt with 7.5 sacks, 4 tackles for loss, 2 fumble recoveries, 7.5 tackles, and two interceptions created by pressure—production that’s hard to ignore at any level, let alone for a first-year varsity contributor.

Coaches quickly noticed what the numbers confirmed. Nelson’s explosive first step converts speed into power, evident in his long-arm and forklift finishes. He plays with a nonstop motor, hustles snap to snap, and competes through contact, traits that translate regardless of scheme. His development hasn’t gone unnoticed beyond Friday nights. Nelson earned invitations to FBU Top Gun and the FBU Futures Showcase (2025), where defensive line staff used him as a teaching example and placed him on a watch list after multiple one-on-one wins. He also practiced with Ponte Vedra’s varsity squad through the postseason during the 2025 Florida 5A State Semifinals run, accelerating his learning curve against older competition.

Off the field, Nelson mirrors that discipline with a 4.0 GPA, active community involvement, and year-round development with Coach Brandon Floyd (Level Up Fitness Jax) for strength and movement, and Coach Ronnie Mason for defensive line technique and agility. With clear goals, adding functional mass to 215–220 pounds, earning meaningful varsity reps as a sophomore, and competing for a college program that values academics and character, Nelson is building something sustainable. The tools are real. The production is early. And the trajectory points up.

Levi Nelson is a long, explosive EDGE prospect with a college-caliber first step. Wins early with burst, converts speed to power, and finishes plays with intent. Shows natural leverage control and a clean inside counter. Motor runs hot—pursues backside and finishes through contact. Still sharpening pad level and rise timing, but growth is evident. Displays versatility as a 5-tech or stand-up EDGE. High football character, coachable, and technically engaged in year-round development. Early production, plus a verified burst, suggests significant upside as strength and experience increase.

Strengths

• Elite first-step quickness
• Length and leverage
• Nonstop motor
• Early varsity production
• High academics and coachability

Areas for Growth

• Continued mass and play strength
• Pad-level consistency
• Expanded film vs the top competition

Overall Projection

High-upside EDGE in the 2029 class with rare early indicators. One of the more intriguing long-term defensive prospects in Florida, college programs should begin tracking now.

To view his complete brand profile, visit www.underrecruitedathlete.com/levi_nelson