Alex Khvatov:  Now that your senior season has come to an end, describe it in its entirety.    

Shawn Nelson: Throughout the year, it has been different.  I came in as a receiver when I first came here, then I became a TE.  I became very valuable at that position.  I was able to make plays during my senior season.  I had some good times here.  I want to prolong my career and go on to the NFL.                                                                                                                     

Alex Khvatov:  What were your expectations from a team and an individual standpoint coming into the 2008 season?

Shawn Nelson:  As a team, the first goal was to win the Conference Championship.  We had the offense that we wanted all along.  We bought into it real fast during the spring.  It is an up tempo offense.  We felt that we could win a lot of games.  For myself, I wanted to have at least 600 or 700 receiving yards, have 60 receptions and score about 10 TD’s.
 

Alex Khvatov:  Your team finished the season with a 6-6 overall record, but ended it on a high note by winning four straight games, what was the difference for the team in the second half of the season?

Shawn Nelson:  We were on a losing streak early on.  Then we showed a lot about our team.  It was a hard road, but I believe that it made us into us into men.  It made us strong mentally and physically.  We are more together as one now.  We have one heartbeat.  That is the reason we made the Bowl game.
 

Alex Khvatov:  Describe your performance against Auburn on September 6th when you were able to record 12 receptions for 118 yards and score two touchdowns.

Shawn Nelson:  It was a stellar performance.  I was confident.  I had to stay humble.  I had to block well.  I had to do well in all phases of the game.  I didn’t think that I was going to catch that many balls.  Hard work pays off in the end.  When you are committed to yourself and your team, great things will happen.
 

Alex Khvatov:  You moved into second place on the school’s career receptions list by-passing Todd Pinkston, what did that mean to you?

Shawn Nelson:  It means a lot to me.  I had to make the switch to the TE position when I first came here and learn a new position.  I had the chance to move to second place.  I am glad to be in that position.
 

Alex Khvatov:  Is your team prepared for the Bowl game against Troy?  Describe the preparation process.

Shawn Nelson:  We are still preparing.  We are planning to go out strong.  We want to come out with a victory.  We have practiced hard.  We are going to win.  
 

Alex Khvatov:  What are your measurements (height, weight and forty time)?

Shawn Nelson:  I am 6’4 ˝, 240 and I run a 4.6.
 

Alex Khvatov:  Coming out of high school, what programs showed interest in you?

Shawn Nelson:  Southern Miss, Louisiana Tech, Mississippi State and Florida had a little interest.
 

Alex Khvatov:  What made you choose Southern Miss?

Shawn Nelson:  I didn’t know that I was going to play TE when I first came here.  I wasn’t prepared for it at first.  Then I turned into a great player playing the TE position.  I made the decision to come here and I don’t regret it.  I am a great young man, but I am not perfect.  This school has helped built me into a great man.
 

Alex Khvatov:  What are your strengths on the football field?

Shawn Nelson:  I come out in practice and I do everything that I need to do.  My ability to make blocks and my ability to catch the football are also my strengths.
 

Alex Khvatov:  What areas of your game do you need to improve upon?  

Shawn Nelson:  I have to be consistent in what I do.  If I do that, I will be a better player.  
 

Alex Khvatov:  What do you have to say to people that point out that you lack the bulk and the blocking skills to be a starting tight end in the NFL?

Shawn Nelson:  I was taught by my coach this season that it is all in the way you position yourself.  A lot of tight ends play high when they block.  Some of it depends on the physical aspect, but the most important thing is the way you position yourself and you have to stay low.
 

Alex Khvatov:  What will you have to do in order to be successful at the next level?

Shawn Nelson:  I have to come out and keep doing what I have been doing.  I am committed and I have the passion for the game.  I have an attitude to want to learn.
 

Alex Khvatov:  What is your favorite NFL team?

Shawn Nelson:  The Saints.  I am from Louisiana, so I root for the Saints. 
 

Alex Khvatov:  Who are your favorite players?

Shawn Nelson:  At TE, it is Antonio Gates.  I also watch Jeremy Shockey.  At WR, I watch Colston from Saints and Toomer and Plaxico.  I watch a lot of guys.
 

Alex Khvatov:  Who is the toughest player that you have faced during your career?

Shawn Nelson:  It was Mario Williams my freshman year.  He is the toughest player that I have faced.      
 

Alex Khvatov:  Which underclassman on your team should we keep an eye on in the future?

Shawn Nelson:  WR DeAndre Brown.  He has talent.  He is very fast for a 6’6” guy.  He has 4.4 speed.  He catches the ball and has a great work ethic.
 

Alex Khvatov:  Tell me about your teammate RB Damion Fletcher and what do you think about his potential at the next level.

Shawn Nelson:  Without a doubt, he runs hard.  He practices hard.  He is very quick.  He is a good person on and off the field.  He would make a great selection in the draft.  He needs to get a little bigger, but he will be fine.  
 

Alex Khvatov:  What do you enjoy most about playing football?

Shawn Nelson:  I like coming out and playing the game.  I have the opportunity to do what I love to do.  It is my heart.  At the same time, I am committed to doing what I love to do.  I enjoy playing with my teammates.      
 

Alex Khvatov:  How important is it for you to make it in the NFL?  

Shawn Nelson:  Very important.  It is my heart.  It is my goal.  I have been watching football since I have been little.  It is time for me to take care of my family and be the backbone for them.   
 

Alex Khvatov:  How will you prepare for the upcoming draft?

Shawn Nelson:  I have been invited to the Senior Bowl in Mobile.  I have to prepare for that after our Bowl game.  Then I would go back to camp and get ready for the Combine.
 

Alex Khvatov:  What makes you unique?

Shawn Nelson:  Being the person that I am.  I am not trying to be someone that I am not. 
 

Alex Khvatov:  If you could have dinner with one person, who would it be and why?

Shawn Nelson:  It would have to be me my father.  He passed away when I was eight.    
 

Alex Khvatov:  What do you like to do in your free time?  

Shawn Nelson:  Pretty much play the game, Rock Band.  I watch movies and hang out with my friends. 
 

Alex Khvatov:  Finish the sentence, Shawn Nelson is….

Shawn Nelson:  One of the best tight ends in college football.  He is one of the most caring persons on and off the field.