Nathan Palmer Jr. (born September 23, 1989) is a former American football linebacker. He played college football at Illinois State. Palmer was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the sixth round of the 2013 NFL Draft.

Palmer was born in Chicago and attended Simeon Career Academy.^[1] During his time there, he lettered in baseball, track and field, basketball, and football.^[2] Palmer was also a teammate to future Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose. In football, he played defensive end, tight end, linebacker, and on the offensive line.^[2] He only played four games during his junior year due to injury, however he still had 30 tackles and seven sacks. As a senior, Palmer had 128 tackles and 18 sacks on defense, while catching 10 passes for 250 yards and a touchdown on offense.^[1] His performance earned him a spot on the 2007 Chicago Sun-Times All-Public League Team.^[1][2]

He was listed as a three star prospect by Rivals.com and as the 17th best player in the state of Illinois. Palmer received one scholarship offer from Illinois.^[3]

Palmer began his college career at Illinois. He was redshirted his first year with the team. He played in every game in the 2009 season, primarily on special teams. He had two tackles against Ohio State, and one against Cincinnati. Additionally, he earned Academic All-Big Ten honors for the year.^[1] He played in nine games and recorded six tackles the following year.

Palmer transferred to the Illinois State and earned a starting spot at defensive end. He started every game in his first season for the Redbirds. In a game against Morehead State, he recorded a sack and recovered a fumble for a 42-yard touchdown, the first of his college career. Later, when Illinois State played North Dakota State, Palmer posted a career-high eight tackles.^[2] His performance for the season earned him All-Missouri Valley Conference honors at the end of the season.^[4] He finished up his junior year with 9.5 sacks, leading the conference. He also had 46 tackles and two forced fumbles. During the final year of his college football career, Palmer again started every game of the season as a defensive end. During a game against Missouri State, he achieved a career-high nine tackles.^[2] He finished his career again being named to the All-Missouri Valley Football Conference second-team.^[1]