News Summary
Conner Nelson, a standout senior at Leeds High School, has been named the Birmingham Region Male Athlete of the Year. Nelson excelled in both football and baseball, demonstrating remarkable versatility and achieving impressive statistics in both sports. His leadership, selflessness, and commitment to excellence have made a significant impact on his teams and the community. Nelson is set to continue his athletic career at Southeastern Louisiana University.
Leeds, Alabama – Conner Nelson, a senior quarterback at Leeds High School, has been honored as the Birmingham Region Male Athlete of the Year, capping off a remarkable high school athletic career distinguished by versatility and achievement across multiple sports.
Throughout his football career, Nelson transitioned from being the team’s top wide receiver during his sophomore year to taking the reins as the starting quarterback for the past two seasons. In his recent performance, Nelson led Leeds to the Class 5A semifinals, completing the season with impressive statistics that included 78 completions on 119 attempts for 1,224 passing yards and 11 touchdown passes. In addition to his passing contributions, he excelled on the ground, rushing 219 times for 1,818 yards and scoring 35 rushing touchdowns, resulting in a total of 46 touchdowns for the season. Nelson’s exceptional performance also earned him ASWA first team all-state honors and a nomination as a finalist for the Class Player of the Year.
Nelson’s abilities extend beyond just football. In the realm of baseball, he made a significant impact by helping Leeds advance to the third round of the Class 5A playoffs. His skills were recognized as he achieved ASWA first team all-state honors as an outfielder and was named to the Birmingham Region Terrific 22. During the baseball season, Nelson posted a remarkable batting average of .427, contributing 45 RBIs and 8 home runs while maintaining an OPS of 1.322. Additionally, he demonstrated his pitching prowess by throwing for 49 1/3 innings, racking up 88 strikeouts with a 3.26 ERA and finishing with an 8-3 win-loss record.
Nelson’s performance on the field was characterized by his selflessness and competitive nature, a sentiment echoed by both Leeds football coach Jerry Hood and baseball coach Jake Wingo, who described him as a tremendous athlete and competitor. His physical attributes, standing at 6-foot-3 and weighing 218 pounds, complemented his good leaping ability, enhancing his impact in both sports.
Off the field, Nelson has been an active member of the community, serving as vice president for the leadership council and contributing to various community efforts. His commitment to excellence extends beyond athletics, as he is recognized for exemplifying strong character and a relentless drive for team success.
Having signed to play football at Southeastern Louisiana University, Nelson’s journey is set to continue at the collegiate level. In his recent playoff game, he showcased his skill by throwing for 303 yards and three touchdowns, leading Leeds to victory over Corner. As the team gears up for another rematch against Moody in the state semifinals, the contributions and leadership of Conner Nelson will be pivotal as he aims to help his team secure a championship.
This season has been a testament to Nelson’s determination, talent, and adaptability across both football and baseball. As Leeds prepares for their next challenge, the legacy of Nelson as a versatile athlete and exemplary team player is firmly established in the Birmingham region.
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Additional Resources
- AL.com: Birmingham Male Athlete of the Year
- Wikipedia: High school football in the United States
- 280 Living: Briarwood-Leeds Football Recap
- Google Search: Leeds High School football
- Crescent City Sports: Southeastern Football Signings
- Google Scholar: High school athletics
- Montgomery Advertiser: Mr. Football Winners
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Football
- AL.com: Leeds vs. Corner Recap
- Google News: Leeds High School sports
Author: STAFF HERE BIRMINGHAM WRITER
The BIRMINGHAM STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBirmingham.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Birmingham, Jefferson County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Sidewalk Film Festival, Sloss Music & Arts Festival, Magic City Classic, and civil rights commemorations. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Birmingham Business Alliance and the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, plus leading businesses in healthcare, finance, and manufacturing that power the local economy such as UAB Medicine, Regions Bank, and Encompass Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREHuntsville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Alabama's dynamic landscape.
