Penn State defender DaKaari Nelson makes a position change in preseason camp
Since arriving on campus at Penn State last year, the debate has been notable regarding the future position of Nittany Lions’ defender DaKaari Nelson. The now-redshirt freshman played safety his first year in Happy Valley, but his 6-foot-3, 217-pound frame has been earmarked for some to grown into a linebacker.
BWI has confirmed that Nelson has made the switch in camp. While he started preseason practice with the safeties, Nelson is now working at linebacker. He appeared with Tom Allen’s position group at the team’s annual photo day on Saturday. Program sources confirmed the recent change.
A product of Selma High School in Alabama, Nelson played in two games last season as a true freshman in 2023. He was the team’s Developmental Squad Defensive Player of the Week once last year and the program’s Developmental Squad Special Teams Player of the Week once as well. He did not register a stat in action against Delaware and Ole Miss last season.
“I would say it taught me a lot,” he said of his first year in Happy Valley. “The standard up here is high. I came in, I didn’t expect nothing to be given to me, but it definitely taught me that you have to work to get what you want. Especially with the caliber of defense we had last year, it really taught me a lot of stuff.”
Nelson has been aware of the conversation regarding his future due to his size. He said this winter that conversations had happened between Allen, James Franklin and safeties coach Anthony Poindexter. Nelson had been running as a reserve safety through the first part of camp.
“I feel comfortable where I am,” said Nelson. “With coach Dex, he’s a great safety coach. With coach Allen coming in, he’s a great linebacker coach. Wherever I end up, I’ll be happy.”
Nelson was one of Penn State’s top commits in the Class of 2023
Nelson was a four-star prospect in the Class of 2023. A strong close to his high school career in the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star game left him as a four-star by all four services, including a Top 100 ranking on Rivals. He was the No. 178 overall prospect and the No. 14 safety nationally according to the On3 Industry rankings. On3 rated him as a four-star prospect outside the On300 rankings.
“Penn State safety commit DaKaari Nelson caught our eye with his plus size and range as a run defender,” On3’s Charles Power wrote following the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star game. “Nelson is the biggest of the Alabama defensive backs, looking around 6-foot-3, 195 pounds. He drew praise from the coaching staff on a number of occasions for his effort and effectiveness in pursuit drills. We also saw Nelson close on play and break up a pass in 11-on-11 work in Wednesday’s morning practice. It will be interesting to see where Nelson ends up from a size perspective after he spends time in a college strength program, given his size and frame.”
The Nittany Lions fought off a late challenge from Ole Miss. He took an official visit to Oxford in November of his senior season while committed to Penn State. He also attended Penn State’s win over Auburn in Auburn that fall as a guest of the Tigers.
