University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Football Fall Camp Feature: Picasso Nelson, Jr.
8/23/2017 12:00:00 AM | Football
HATTIESBURG, Miss. -- It would be tough to find someone who defines college more than Southern Miss senior defensive back Picasso Nelson, Jr.
Effervescent smile. High GPA in the banking and finance program. Four-year starter by way of nearby Oak Grove High School.
"There have been some trying times dealing with football and academics," Nelson said. "The New Orleans Bowl [Dec. 2016] was finals week. I had to take five finals in two days, including having to practice football and things like that. Two nights in a row, I fell asleep with my books open."
This past April, Nelson and four other student-athletes held five of the top-10 GPAs in the university's banking and finance program. At the time of the release, he was holding a 3.688 mark.
He sure had the work ethic. He even had that passion for football before he could even play.
"Honestly, my family never really forced me to play football," he said. "My dad didn't make me work out or anything. I was in eighth grade and begging him to work out and play football. He said 'are you sure?' and I said 'yeah'."
Thus began a morning ritual of working out at 5 a.m. before school. But football was always in his blood. His father, Picasso Sr., played at Jackson State and later for the Oilers and Giants before finishing in the CFL. Picasso Jr.'s cousin, Kenny Shedd, played eight years in the NFL. His great uncle, Eugene Bowen, also played for the Cowboys.
The one family connection that will really resonate with Golden Eagle community, though? Picasso's mother went to Southern Miss for her undergrad, and his father for his doctorate. Now, his father holds Picasso Nelson Agency, a real estate company, and Picasso Nelson Trucking.
"I was always around Southern Miss and watched them play when I was younger," Nelson said. "So growing up I never thought about where I'd want to play, but when I got into recruiting and chose to come here, it was one of the best decisions I've ever made. If I could do it all over again, I'd come to Southern Miss."
There is no doubt that Nelson has made the most of his college experience.
"Honestly, I just want to be the best I can be in whatever I do," he said. "I have 7-8 months to work to make my football dreams come true. Long-term, I want to be in real estate and own 300-plus houses, and also do trucking and get about 100 of them."
Season tickets, flex plans, and group tickets for the 2017 Golden Eagle home season are still available and can be purchased by going online at SouthernMissTickets.com, by calling 1-800-844-TICK (8425) or by visiting the Pat Ferlise Ticket Office, weekdays, from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Discounts are available for Southern Miss faculty and staff, senior citizens, military personnel, and recent Southern Miss graduates. The Golden Eagles open the 2017 season at home on Saturday, Sept. 2, at 3 p.m. against SEC opponent Kentucky.