Rodney Nelson Named Stats Perform FCS National Offensive Player of the Week

In addition to his Coastal Athletic Association nod, Monmouth University running back Rodney Nelson has been named the Stats Perform FCS National Offensive Player of the Week, the organization announced Nov. 3.

Nelson carried the Hawks' offense in No. 9/10 Monmouth's 35-7 win at Bryant on Saturday with a dominant 306 all-purpose yards, including a career-high 244 rushing yards on 34 carries and two touchdowns, while adding 62 yards receiving out of the backfield. His all-around effort marked one of the top individual performances in college football this season - his 306 total yards rank as the second-highest single-game total by any FCS player in 2025 and the second most in Monmouth program history, trailing only Dymere Miller's 333-yard outing in 2023.

The Maryland native continues to be one of the most explosive players in the country, eclipsing 200 rushing yards in back-to-back games and three times overall this season. He also leads the FCS in 100-yard rushing performances (eight) and 200-yard rushing games (three), while stringing together a program-record six consecutive games over the 100-yard mark.

This marks the first National Player of the Week honor for Monmouth since quarterback Derek Robertson in 2024 following the Hawks' win over Villanova.

Now with 1,482 rushing yards, Nelson leads the nation in both rushing yards per game and all-purpose yards per game (188.22) - doing so without a single kick or punt return. His 15 rushing touchdowns rank fourth-most in a single season in Monmouth's 33-year program history.

Nelson and the Hawks (8-1, 5-0 CAA) return home to Kessler Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 8, to host New Hampshire at noon. The game will be streamed live on FloCollege and The Wax.