Will Nelson, Mendenhall Make NFL Cut?

While local high school football players took to the field for the first time this season last Friday, two notable Journal-area alumni are currently battling for jobs on two National Football League teams.

Hersey graduate Tom Nelson and Niles West grad Walter Mendenhall are fighting for their football lives this week as NFL teams begin to trim down their rosters for the upcoming regular season.

Nelson is trying to earn a spot in the Cincinnati Bengals secondary while Mendenhall hopes to earn a back-up running back position with the Indianapolis Colts.

Football comes naturally to both these families as each player has siblings who also excel on the gridiron.

Nelson's little brother Steve was penciled in to be Hersey's starting quarterback this year but tore his ACL during a summer basketball game. Still, Steve Nelson has already committed to following his brother to Illinois State University, where he will also play in the secondary.

Mendenhall has an even more famous little brother as Rashard starred at the University of Illinois and was a first round pick of Pittsburgh Steelers. Rashard, also a Niles West grad, missed most of his rookie year due to a shoulder injury but should make more of an impact this season.

While I wasn't around to personally cover these two outstanding players, it's always a great story to see local athletes making a name for themselves.

Nelson earned a particularly cool experience as HBO's "Hard Knocks" television program is currently documenting the Bengals training camp.

In the most recent episode, Nelson is featured as a young player standing out to coaches for his fast and physical play.

"The kid has no fear," Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer said of Nelson on the show.

That was even true back in Nelson's Hersey days. As a senior QB, he rushed for 900 yards and 9 TDs and threw for 1,034 yards and 8 more scores.

Nelson went on to star at Illinois State and reportedly caught Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis' eye during free agent workouts.

Nelson is likely competing for the last safety spot with second year player Corey Lynch. Tune in to HBO on Wednesdays to see how the battle plays out.

Mendenhall might have a bit tougher time sticking with the Colts. He was originally signed by the Philadelphia Eagles but was cut before training camp began. The Colts picked up Mendenhall on Aug. 22. Mendenhall amassed over 3,600 all-purpose yards during his Niles West career and played with his brother at the University of Illinois before transferring to Illinois State for his final year of college.

Rashard Mendenhall and Baltimore Ravens safety Tom Zbikowski, of Buffalo Grove, are two others playing on NFL teams this fall.