Steven Nielsen, a former Eastern Michigan offensive tackle has signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars following the 2020 NFL Draft which ended on Saturday, April 25. The 6’8 offensive lineman played in 49 games at Eastern Michigan over the last four seasons and started all 13 games last year. He earned 2018 Third Team All-MAC honors. 

Nielsen came to Eastern Michigan from La Lumiere High School in Indiana but he is originally from Dragoer, Denmark. Over the last few seasons, Nielsen helped EMU’s offense become one of the best in school history, as the Eagles threw for 3,370 passing yards and 25 touchdown passes, the second of which stands as a school record. 

The 307-pound lineman was a 2019 First Team Preseason All-MAC pick by Athlon Sports and helped the Eagles go 6-6 in the regular season before losing to Pittsburgh in the Quick Lane Bowl on Dec. 26 at Ford Field. EMU went 25-26 during Nielsen’s career and he helped the team participate in three bowl games.

According to EMU Athletics, the Eagles have had three players drafted and 19 players sign free agent or mini-camp deals since 2015. Nielsen is one of two EMU players that will move onto the NFL from this draft cycle, as defensive back Kevin McGill Jr. was signed by the Los Angeles Chargers. 

The Jaguars, who will add Nielsen to their roster, went 6-10 and finished in last place in the AFC South last year behind the Tennessee Titans, Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts. The Jaguars drafted C.J. Henderson (CB, Florida,) Laviska Shenault (WR, Colorado) and DaVon Hamilton (DT, Ohio State) in the first three rounds of the draft.

EMU begins the season on Sept. 5 at Kentucky.

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