BLOOMING PRAIRIE — Blooming Prairie senior Anthony Nelson had plenty of options to play college football and he settled on a school that felt like home.

Nelson passed up a few Division II football offers and he committed to play football at Division III Bethel College in BP high school Friday.

Nelson, who has a 4.0 GPA, is looking to major in business and he plans on taking over his family farm when he is done with school. He figured Bethel was the best place for him to attend college.

“I decided on Bethel because of their christian affiliation and I just fell in love with the campus,” Nelson said. “I think Bethel kind of stood out a lot.”

Nelson was a two-way standout on the BP football team this past fall as he racked up 1,318 yards and 21 TDs as a wide receiver/running back and on defense he had 122 tackles, four interceptions and nine passes defensed. Nelson, who will play safety for the Royals, had received offers from Division II Southwest Minnesota State University, Minnesota State University, and the University of Minnesota-Duluth, but he wanted to go to a smaller campus. Nelson’s decision came down to Bethel and University of Wisconsin-River Falls.

“I’m happy to be moving on and playing. I love sports and I’m challenging myself a lot in the weight room to get ready for season next year,” Nelson said. “It’s hard to manage time, but for me it comes pretty easy in school. At safety I have to call out the defense and adjust formations and being able to adjust quick is really good for that.”

Nelson has farmed a 48 acre piece of land on his family’s farm for the past four years. Once he is done with college, Nelson plans on getting back into farming. Nelson’s great grandpa and his grandpa were also farmers and he wants to continue the family tradition.

“I’m going to help my dad for awhile and eventually when he wants to step down, I’ll take over,” Nelson said.

The Royals went 5-5 overall last season. Bethel is located in St. Paul.