Nehemiah Shelton Bio
Nehemiah Shelton (born September 13, 1999) is an American professional football cornerback currently playing for the Columbus Aviators of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football for the Long Beach City Vikings and the San Jose State Spartans before entering the professional ranks. Shelton began his professional career in 2023 and has since competed in both the NFL and spring football leagues, demonstrating his versatility and persistence in earning a roster spot at the professional level.
Early Life and Background
Shelton grew up in Gardena, California. He attended Junípero Serra High School in Gardena, where he established himself as a dual-threat athlete playing both cornerback and wide receiver. As a senior, he recorded three pass interceptions and seven pass break-ups while contributing on offense. His standout high school performance earned him recognition in the 2017 Lions All-Star Game held in El Segundo, California, showcasing his abilities against top regional talent.
Following his graduation from Junípero Serra High School, Shelton committed to continue his football career at the collegiate level. He initially enrolled at Long Beach City College, beginning his journey toward professional football through the junior college ranks before advancing to Division I competition.
Path to Professional Football
Shelton began his college career at Long Beach City College in 2017. His true freshman season proved immediately productive as he appeared in 11 games, recording 46 total tackles with 35 solo stops, three tackles for loss, four interceptions for 43 yards, and seven pass break-ups. His defensive contributions helped the Vikings win the 2017 Patriotic Bowl, and he earned first-team All-Central League honors for his performance. This successful debut season positioned him for advancement to a four-year program.
On December 20, 2017, Shelton committed to transfer to San Jose State University. He transitioned to the Mountain West Conference program, where he developed into a consistent starting cornerback over five seasons from 2018 to 2022. His collegiate career at San Jose State showcased steady improvement and growing reliability in the secondary. He received invitations to the 2023 East-West Shrine Bowl, which provided additional exposure to NFL scouts as he prepared for the professional draft.
Nehemiah Shelton Career
Early Professional Career (2023)
Shelton entered the 2023 NFL draft but went unselected in the seven-round process. Despite going undrafted, he attracted interest from NFL teams as a priority free agent. On August 17, 2023, he signed with the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent following the draft. He was waived during final roster cuts on August 29 but was signed to the practice squad the following day. The Jets released him from their practice squad on October 3, 2023, ending his initial NFL tenure.
Shelton continued his professional football journey by returning to the Memphis Showboats, the USFL team that originally selected him in the seventh round of the 2023 USFL draft. He was re-signed by the Showboats on October 18, 2023, rejoining the spring football league as he sought to continue developing his craft at the professional level.
Multiple Team Transitions (2024–2025)
Shelton remained active in the professional football landscape throughout 2024. He returned to the New York Jets on July 22, 2024, only to be waived five days later when the team signed Kendall Sheffield. He earned another opportunity with the Jets on August 19, 2024, but was waived again on August 27, highlighting the competitive nature of NFL roster decisions. On October 9, 2024, he signed with the Los Angeles Chargers practice squad, continuing his pursuit of a stable professional position. He was released by the Chargers on October 19, 2024.
On January 20, 2025, Shelton re-signed with the Memphis Showboats for a third stint with the organization. He demonstrated continued commitment to spring football by remaining with the Showboats during the 2025 season. On August 13, 2025, he re-signed with the Los Angeles Chargers for a second stint but was waived on August 26, 2025, as the team made roster adjustments ahead of the regular season.
Columbus Aviators Era (2026–Present)
On January 13, 2026, Shelton was selected by the Columbus Aviators in the 2026 UFL Draft, marking a new chapter in his professional career with one of the league’s newest franchises. The selection provided him with an opportunity to contribute to an expanding spring football league that has attracted former NFL and college players seeking continued professional opportunities. As a cornerback for the Aviators, he brings experience from multiple professional leagues and organizations to his new team.
Playing Style and Strengths
Shelton has demonstrated consistency and football intelligence throughout his collegiate and professional career. At 6 feet 2 inches and 185 pounds, he possesses the size and length that NFL and professional scouts value in cornerbacks. His statistical production at San Jose State showed his ability to contribute in multiple areas, recording tackles, creating turnovers through interceptions, and disrupting passes with pass break-ups. His experience playing in various systems and adapting to different coaching philosophies has shown his versatility and coachability as a professional.
Notable Achievements and Milestones
Shelton earned multiple All-Conference honors during his collegiate career at San Jose State, including All-MWC Honorable Mention recognition in both 2021 and 2022. He was named to the second-team preseason Athlon All-MWC team in 2022, indicating early recognition of his abilities within the conference. His performance at Long Beach City College, including helping the Vikings win the 2017 Patriotic Bowl and earning first-team All-Central League honors, established the foundation for his collegiate success. His invitation to the 2023 East-West Shrine Bowl represented a milestone in his progression toward professional football.
Nehemiah Shelton College Career Statistics
Shelton accumulated significant statistical production across his five seasons at the Division I level with San Jose State. His tackle numbers remained consistent throughout his career, ranging from 38 to 62 total tackles per season. He demonstrated ball skills with multiple interceptions each year, including three in 2019, two in 2021, and two in 2022. His pass breakup totals showed his ability to contest receptions, posting seven in 2019, 12 in 2021, and eight in 2022. At Long Beach City College, his true freshman season included 46 total tackles, four interceptions, and seven pass break-ups in 11 games played.
Nehemiah Shelton Family
Personal Life
Shelton maintains his roots in Gardena, California, where he grew up and attended high school. His journey from Gardena through junior college to San Jose State and eventually to professional football demonstrates his dedication to the sport. Details regarding his family background and personal relationships remain private as he continues to focus on his football career with the Columbus Aviators.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season saw Shelton continue his professional football journey with the Memphis Showboats, rejoining the organization for a third stint during the spring football campaign. He later returned to the Los Angeles Chargers organization in August 2025 before being waived during final roster preparations. Despite the roster fluctuations common in professional football, Shelton demonstrated continued dedication to his craft and pursuit of opportunities at the highest levels of the sport. His ability to bounce back and secure contracts with multiple organizations throughout 2025 reflected his value as a player who brings experience and versatility to defensive backfield units. The spring and summer months of 2025 provided him with valuable game repetitions and development opportunities as he worked toward establishing himself as a permanent roster piece in professional football.