Big things could come from small package Bombers rookie Nelson, 5-8, packs potential for returns, receptions By: Mike Sawatzky Posted: 7:00 PM CDT Monday, May. 28, 2018 Last Modified: 9:39 PM CDT Monday, May. 28, 2018 Updates

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He is one of the shortest men in training camp at 5-8 and among the lightest at 170 pounds, but be forewarned — rookie wide receiver and kick returner Charles Nelson has the skill set to become a special player on the wide-open spaces of a CFL field.

Veteran Winnipeg receiver Adarius Bowman understands. Bowman is a connoisseur of U.S. college football highlights and he had a question for Nelson when the newly signed 22-year-old from Daytona Beach, Fla., showed up in Blue Bombers camp three days ago.

"When he first got here I asked him, ‘Bro, are you that No. 6 from Oregon?’ " said Bowman. "He said, ‘What are you talking about?’ "

Nelson was just being cagey. Bowman, in his 11th season in Canada, was well aware of the elusive and electrifying Nelson’s exploits at the University of Oregon.

‘This past year I’ve been seeing these highlights of this little No. 6 for Oregon doing these amazing returns. Coming up out of crazy tackles with amazing speed’ – Bombers receiver Adarius Bowman, on rookie Charles Nelson

In four years, Nelson caught 124 passes for 1,555 yards and 14 touchdowns while also piling up 2,424 kick return yards with two majors and another 304 punt return yards and a another pair of TDs.

In 2014, he was awarded the Gordon E. Wilson Award for being Oregon’s top special teams standout and, a year later, also earned first team Pac-12 all-conference honours. In addition, Nelson showed his versatility during his sophomore season when he played cornerback for two games.

"This past year I’ve been seeing these highlights of this little No. 6 for Oregon doing these amazing returns," said Bowman. "Coming up out of crazy tackles with amazing speed. You know, all of us look a little bigger on TV or whatever, this guy is so small I just wanted to know, ‘Are you him?’ Charles is giving me a hard time and says, ‘I don’t know.’ "

Bowman then spotted Nelson’s Ducks warm-up shirt with a No. 6 stencilled on it, confirming his identity once and for all.

For Nelson, who was bypassed in the NFL Draft and had two unsuccessful rookie mini-camp tryouts with the Kansas City Chiefs and Indianapolis Colts, it’s been a struggle to adjust to the differences north of the border.

"It’s different. Different place, different rules, different everything," said Nelson following Day 9 of training camp at Investors Group Field. "So far, it’s been good. Guys have welcomed me in. I’m just trying to take it day by day and learn what I can and move on.

"It’s not been a smooth transition. It’s pretty difficult but it’s doable."

And that’s where Bowman stepped in.

The 32-year-old product of Chattanooga, Tenn., has been more than happy to share some of the trade secrets and lessons he’s learned since debuting with the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2008. On Monday morning, Bowman and Nelson spent some down time between drills deep in conversation.

"They ask all kinda different stuff but mainly they wanna get a better understanding of the game," said Bowman. "My reason for doing it is I remember me coming in, in ’08 and the D.J. Flicks, the Matt Dominguezes and (Andy) Fantuz. Me and (Weston Dressler) came in together so we really got knowledge about how to be a pro.

"That moment when you saw me talking to Charles — it was special teams and it was me trying to explain how important this was in the Canadian Football League. It’s important down south, too, but I was telling him about some of the rules. They really change games. I explained to him you can miss a field goal and get (the football) to the back and end up losing the game by one. That’s one of the rules I never understood."

Bowman was also quick to remind him that players such as Roy Finch, Stefan Logan and Chad Owens originally made their mark in the CFL as dynamic kick and punt returners.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6zjDv952F8

"Some guys make a career in the CFL off of special teams," said Bowman. "I told him how he can be a big part of it. He was saying how big the field is. I said, ‘There’s a lot of running sideways, better learn to run north and south.’ "

Nelson sees the possibilties, most clearly with the return game.

"Definitely with the rules, especially on punt returns," said Nelson. "They have the five yards before you catch the ball. That gives you a lot of space and a lot of guys like me get lost in the crowd. Especially if you’re fast, it makes it a lot easier to gain ground and do things and manoeuver around."

mike.sawatzky@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @sawa14

Mike Sawatzky
Reporter

Mike has been working on the Free Press sports desk since 2003.

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