Zach Neilsen

Position:
JACK
Height:
6-1
Weight:
230
Class:
Redshirt Sophomore
Hometown:
Brisbane, Australia
High School:
Albany Creek State
Player Shop:
Shop

CAREER NOTES: A letterwinner … Has played in 24 career games … Enrolled in January 2022 … Became Tulsa’s second player in school history from Australia … A two-time academic all-conference honoree … Has a career total of 31 tackles … Has a career total of one tackle for loss of two yards … Had one career pass break up … Has one career sack.

2024 Academic All-Conference
2023 Academic All-Conference
2022 Academic All-Conference

2024: Played in all 12 games during his redshirt sophomore season.

Recorded 12 tackles, eight unassisted and four assisted.
Recorded one tackle for loss of two yards.

2023: Played in all 12 games as a redshirt freshman.

Had 19 stops and one pass breakup.
Saw his first career action in the season opener vs. UAPB and had one tackle.
Had a career-high four stops against both #19 OU and SMU.
Was named to the CSC Academic all-district team for football.
Was named one of the 2023 Military Bowl STEM Scholar-Athletes.
Earned academic all-conference honors.

2022: Was one of several freshmen to sit out the season due to redshirt status.

Earned academic all-conference accolades.

HIGH SCHOOL

Was a two-year starter at Albany Creek State High School.
Played linebacker and defensive back on defense.
On offense, played at running back, quarterback and slot.
Helped his team post a 10-2 record in 2019 and a 7-3 mark in 2020.
Had 15 career TFL, six sacks and four interceptions and blocked one punt.
Scored 26 touchdowns in his career.
Was his school’s 2020 Student of the Year.
High school coach was Sam Harkness.

PERSONAL

Favorite NFL team is the New England Patriots.
Favorite NFL player is Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Haason Reddick.
His favorite book is Atomic Habits.
Lists his favorite vacation spots as the Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef.
Favorite movie is “Oppenheimer.”
His favorite sports movie is “Invictus.”
Co-founded an Australian NIL Agency.
Connor McGregor is his favorite pro athlete.
Played the cello in primary school and double bass in early high school.
Began playing football at age 14.
Has a younger sister.
Parents are Brian Neilsen and Janna Roop.
Majoring in mechanical engineering with a minor in economics.
Born in Grants, N.M.