Shadow Ridge standout keeps the faith
Two-way star Nellems selects Southern Utah
Dozens of Division I colleges reached out to Shadow Ridge senior Aubrey Nellems, a 6-foot-1-inch, 210-pound two-way standout who averaged 9.7 yards per carry, rushed for 1,222 yards and scored 12 touchdowns last season.
And dozens backed off when they learned Nellems’ faith is more important to him than football.
Not Southern Utah.
And after an arduous recruitment, Nellems is at peace with his future.
Nellems signed a national letter of intent Wednesday morning — the first day of the new early signing period — to play college football for the Thunderbirds, who belong to the Division I Football Championship Subdivision.
Colleges from Power Five conferences — namely Arizona, Arizona
State and Brigham Young — contacted Nellems during his high school career but stopped recruiting him when they found out he would miss a practice or a game because of his devotion to the Hebrew Israelite faith.
Nellems hasn’t wavered from his beliefs and is committed to resting on his Sabbath, which is dictated by the lunar calendar instead of the traditional Gregorian calendar and may fall on game days.
He learned the religion from his stepfather, Kelvin Bazile, who married his mother, Felisha, and taught him about religion and football.
“We brought him up to keep with his faith,” Kelvin said. “Family and all of that is No. 1. Then you start getting into your vocations.”
Nellems made Shadow Ridge’s varsity football team as a freshman and earned a scholarship offer from Southern Utah at a team camp before his sophomore season.
His recruitment continued during 11th and 12th grade, but Nellems began hearing the same thing from the Division I coaching staffs that ultimately decided against offering him scholarships.
“I talked to recruiting coordinators, and they would say … ‘We commend you for your faith. We’re very impressed with it. We need more guys like you,’ ” Nellems said. “And that’s usually the end of the conversation … Evidently, lots of schools have turned me down.”
Southern Utah coaches understood the significant role religion plays in Nellems’ life.
They’ve already analyzed the team’s 2018 schedule and have a plan for Nellems, who will play linebacker and study sports medicine.
Kelvin and Felisha are ecstatic and praised their son’s patience and commitment. Both figure Southern Utah is the right fit.
“I’m very proud of him. He stuck to his guns,” Felisha said. “I think it’s very important, and he made it clear that even if it wasn’t about football, a free education is a free education. I’m very happy about it.”
Contact reporter Sam Gordon at sgordon@reviewjournal.com. Follow @Bysamgordon on Twitter.