LaRosa's MVP
Paul Nelson - LAROSA'S MVP FEATURED ATHLETE
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NAME: Paul Nelson
SCHOOL: Princeton High School
SPORT(S): Football
GRADUATING YEAR: 2025
GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT: 2023 Ohio Defensive Player of the Year
BIRTHDATE: 2/4/2007
HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6'2"-210 lbs.
RESIDENCE: Glendale
PARENT: Vivian Thomas
BIGGEST INFLUENCE: “LeBron James”
FUTURE GOAL: Play in the NFL

One of the best linebackers in the state of Ohio is Princeton High School senior Paul (“P.J.”) Nelson.

He entered this season coming off a great junior campaign when he accumulated 89 tackles (53 solo tackles), a league-leading 12 sacks, five forced fumbled, two fumble recoveries (one for a TD) and a pick-six interception. This season, after ten games, he leads the GMC in tackles with 115 (73 of which are solo tackles) to go along with a forced fumble, two fumble recoveries and an interception. The Vikings have won back-to-back GMC titles.

He was a major contributor to a 12-1 Viking team that finished an undefeated 10-0 in last year's regular season and won the outright championship of the tough Greater Miami Conference for the first time since 1993. He anchored a Princeton defense that allowed a mere 11 points per game. Princeton advanced to the regional semifinals where they lost to Lakota West.

For his work on the field, P.J. received numerous honors, including being named GMC Player of the Year, Cincinnati Div. I Defensive Player of the Year (Enquirer), Southwest Ohio District Defensive Co-Player of the Year, TriState Football's Defensive Player of the Year, and Ohio Div. I Defensive Player of the Year. He was also named Cincinnati Defensive Player of the Year by the Cincinnati Enquirer High School Sports All-Star Awards.

P.J. will play football at the next level, having committed to the University of Indiana. In his spare time, he enjoys playing Fortnite. His favorite athlete is Aaron Donald, favorite entertainer is Kai Cenat, favorite book is Harry Potter, favorite movie is Toy Story 2 and most-like-to-meet is LeBron James.



COACH'S QUOTE – “P.J. is a hardworker and plays with a super high motor. He is a linebacker that can cover sideline to sideline and arrives with a purpose. P.J. makes his presence felt in every game.”
—Andre Parker, Varsity Football Coach



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