 The following season, he transferred to New Mexico State University and red-shirted as per NCAA regulations.Nelson averaged 17.8 points and 8.7 rebounds, and a shooting percentage of 55.1% in his 2005-2006 season for NMSU, earning himself Western Athletic Conference Player of the Week twice.On August 24, 2006, Nelson was arrested at Mesilla Valley Mall in Las Cruces after reportedly having been identified by a pizza delivery man employed at a restaurant inside the mall.