College football star Mekhi Nelson has been arrested in Florida following an alleged altercation with his pregnant girlfriend at a luxury vacation resort.
According to TMZ, the Nebraska Cornhuskers running back was booked for misdemeanor battery around noon on Monday in the Florida Keys after the incident.
The redshirt sophomore was taken into custody on the grounds of the Blue Flamingo Resort, located in Key West, before being transported to a nearby jail facility.
According to a police report, obtained by TMZ, officers responded to call for a disturbance early on Monday and, upon arrival at Nelson’s room, were met by the Cornhuskers star – who admitted he was in a dispute with the mother of his children.
Nelson claimed that the dispute arose after he discovered another male, who has also fathered a child with his girlfriend, was speaking to his partner.
The Cornhuskers running back told officials that his anger issues ‘seemed to flare up’ when discussing the action of the unnamed individual.
College football star Mekhi Nelson has been arrested in Florida following an alleged altercation
Nelson’s mugshot was released by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office following his arrest
The redshirt sophomore was taken into custody on the grounds of the Blue Flamingo Resort
However, his partner told officers a different story. According to the reports, she alleged that Nelson got frustrated over the time it took her to get ready on vacation.
She further claimed that she eventually locked Nelson out of the room but allowed him back once he began banging loudly on the door.
Once he returned, according to her claims in the report, she attempted to call her mother. However, Nelson allegedly took her phone and threw it across the room. She also claims that he then ripped her bathing suit and scratched her in the process.
The woman told officers that this was not the first time in which they had fallen into a dispute. She added that she is seven months pregnant with their second child.
According to the police report, Nelson began crying as he was transported to a local jail. He added that he was ‘just like his father’.
Nelson is entering his third year with the Nebraska program.
The arrest marks a major off-season setback for the young running back, who was widely tipped by coaching staff to compete for a starting role this fall.
During the 2025 season, Nelson had 27 carries for 147 yards and two touchdowns.
The Daily Mail has reached out to the Nebraska Cornhuskers for comment.
