NFL draft analyst Lance Zierlein believes Nelson is "highly competitive."

Here's what Lance Zierlein wrote on Nelson: *  *

"Very physical and aggressive for the position. Focused and consistent when asked to jam at the line. Excels as downhill player. Displays closing burst and ball skills to consistently contest passes (24 passes defensed over last two seasons). Won't give an inch when big running backs are bearing down on him around the corner. Wraps up and finishes as tackler. Fights to disengage and attack bubble screens."

Read Zierlein's full evaluation here.

Nelson didn't miss a tackle in 2014.

Steven Nelson started his college football career at a junior college. According to the Oregonian, Steven Nelson couldn’t play for a Division I school right away, so he instead had to start his playing career at a junior college called the College of the Sequoias in central California.

"Man, it was hard times being at junior college watching all my friends play Division-I when I knew I should be there, I can play on that level," he told the Oregonian.

During his two-year career in junior college, Nelson recorded 71 tackles, 19 pass breakups and six interceptions. While there, he also participated in track and on the 4x100 relay team.

Nelson received his second chance at Oregon State in 2013. Nelson signed with Oregon State in December of 2012 and entered the school in January.

He began the 2013 season as the nickel cornerback, then moved into the starting lineup for the team's remaining nine games of the season. He finished 2013 leading the cornerbacks in 62 tackles and earned a Pac-12 honorable mention. *  *

*Nelson was named to the Pac-12 All Conference Second Team for 2014. *

After making a name for himself in 2013, Nelson started for the Beavers.

In 2014, he had 60 tackles, recorded two interceptions and eight pass breakups. The stat line and the diverted attention from opposing quarterbacks earned him Pac-12 All-Conference Second Team honors.