Shawn Nelson needed just one year to set the standard for tight ends at Southern Miss, which has fans wondering what he can do for an encore in 2006.

As a redshirt freshman, Nelson had the best performance by a tight end in USM history. He led the Golden Eagles with 35 receptions for 540 yards and five touchdowns, earning freshman All-American honors along the way.

"We knew that Shawn had tons of ability, but we didn't know he was going to have that kind of year," said assistant head coach Randy Butler, Nelson's position coach. "The exciting thing about Shawn is that he's not even close to reaching his full potential."

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