J.R. Nelson

Played in 53 games, with 51 starts, for the Fighting Illini in 2026.
Slashed .259/.418/.367 with 38 hits, seven doubles, three home runs, 29 RBI, and 25 runs scored.
Also tacked on 34 walks, 10 HBP, four stolen bases, six sac bunts, and five sac flies.
Recorded a .966 fielding percentage with 72 putouts and 127 assists.
Had 10 multi-hit games and seven outings with multiple RBI.
Made his Illinois debut at South Florida on Feb. 13.
Picked up his first hit in an Illini uniform on Feb. 27 against Michigan State while adding two runs and two walks.
Went 2-for-5 with a double and a season-high three RBI vs. Western Illinois on March 10.
Delivered a 3-for-3 at the plate vs. Rutgers on March 21 with a double, a home run, a career-high four runs scored, and an RBI.
Went 3-for-4 with a double, two RBI, and a stolen base at Penn State on March 29.
Recorded two hits at Purdue on April 5.
Posted a 2-for-2 day with two walks, two RBI, and a home run vs. SIUE on April 14.
Tallied a 2-for-5 day with two RBI, two runs scored, and a double vs. #19 Oregon on April 18.
Finished the season with three consecutive two-hit performances.

Named to 2024-25 Brooks Wallace Award Top 100 Watch List.
Started all 26 games he appeared in.
Slashed .252/.333/.459.
Recorded five home runs, 19 runs, 28 hits, eight doubles, and 15 RBI.
Tallied 42 putouts and a .992 fielding percentage.
Hit home runs in three consecutive games from March 9-14.
Went 3-for-5 with two doubles and a walk at Toledo (3/21/25).
Season-high three hits, two stolen bases, and two runs at Toledo (3/21/25).
Had two extra base hits and a stolen base vs. Dayton (3/18/25).
Drove in a season-high three runs in the series finale versus Central Michigan (3/15/25).
Went 3-for-4 with a home run against Central Michigan (3/14/25).

MAC All-Defensive Team.
Started 49 games, appearing in all but one contest in his first collegiate season.
Slashed .312/.381/.377.
Tallied 62 hits, 10 doubles, one home run, 13 RBI, 35 runs scored, and 12 stolen bases.
Ranked first on the team in stolen bases, second in hits and doubles, and third in runs scored.
Had 20 multi-hit games as a freshman.
Hit 3-for-4 and scored a run at Virginia Tech (5/4/24).
Notched his first career home run in the second inning at Ball State (3/30/24).
Logged two doubles and went 3-for-5 at the plate with three RBI vs. Kent State (3/16/24).
Went 3-for-4 with three runs scored, an RBI, and a walk in his college debut at Lipscomb (2/16/24).

Born on Aug. 23, 2004.
Son of Rick, who wrestled at Minnesota State, and Cari Nelson.
Chose Illinois because “it is close to home and always was a place I wanted to come play at growing up so close.”
Pursuing a degree in communication.