Oregon Targets Alabama Four-Star Safety DaKaari Nelson

Oregon is known as a safety school, but not in the academic sense. The Ducks have sent Chad Cota, T.J Ward, Patrick Chung, Jevon Holland to the NFL, and Verone McKinley III is in the process,

Next?

Oregon’s secondary coaches have their eye on DaKaari Nelson, a 4-star 2023 safety from Selma High in Alabama who recently landed an offer from the Ducks. The On3 Consensus ranks Nelson ranks as the nation’s 21st best safety and the 18th best player in the state of Alabama.

ScoopDuck linked up recently with Nelson to discuss his background and his recruitment with the Ducks.

Nelson grew up is a small town in the Deep South. How did that shape him into the man he is today?

“I am originally from west Alabama,” he said, “a town called Livingston. It’s a real country town. My dad is actually from Selma and my mom is from Mississippi, so I’m kind of a country boy.

“Growing up, I had to use my hands a lot, so it makes me real physical. Can’t really complain about pain.

“It relates to football by playing through pain.”

Nelson has been playing football since grade school, earning a unique nickname along the way.

“Crazy thing about it is I didn’t start playing football until fifth or sixth grade,” he said, “because I used to hate it. I used to be kind of chubby, and they used to play me at nose guard.

“A lot of people are going to call me Meatball.”

When did he start to know he might be really good?

“I had done something crazy,” he said. “I had caught a pass with one hand, then the dude coming up behind me. I stiffed arm him, hit a spin move on another dude.

“My head got hurt so I couldn’t play I’m the playoff, and we ended up losing. So I came back the next year and won the state championship.

“That’s when I knew I was going to be good.”

In what areas of his game is he most confident?

“Definitely in my coverages and my physicality,” he said.

Nelson has not tripped to Oregon or set any dates to visit. But he does plan on coming to the Northwest to check out what Eugene and the mighty Oregon football program has to offer.

What has it been like talking to the Oregon coaches?

“It’s nothing new,” he said, “because (defensive analyst Connor) Boyd — he’s there now and he was at Tennessee. The Vols were my first SEC offer and my fourth total offer.

“He’s been to a couple programs in between, but I been keeping in contact with him the whole time.”

Nelson is also starting building a strong relationship with co-defensive coordinator Matt Powledge.

“Getting to know coach Powledge,” he said. “He feels like a real guy I can be comfortable around.”

I asked Nelson which schools are recruiting him the hardest right, and the response broke some news.

“I would tell you that,” he said, “but I’m dropping my top schools on March 25, so I don’t want there to be no spoilers.”

Nelson said he’s looking for a winning tradition and family atmosphere.

“Definitely how a school not only recruits me,” he said, “but recruits my family as well. I have an older brother who plays college football, so I want them to take a look at him.

”And of course, the school I choose has to have a winning tradition.”

Does he have a timeline for his decision?

“Before my senior season,” he said, “I plan on narrowing down to five or six. Then later in the season, I plan on making my decision and signing during the early period.”