Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1492675
M A R C H 2 0 2 3 3 5 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / P L A Y E R B I O S / / / / / / / T he 28-hour round-trip drive from Alabama to Penn State in November 2021 was foundational for DaKaari Nelson. To the four-star safety prospect, PSU was distinctly different from the South- ern schools — Auburn, Clemson and Ten- nessee — that had stood out to that point in his recruitment. Although Penn State was much farther from Selma than those others, the people he met during his visit made Nelson and his family feel at home. "They helped look after [my three sis- ters] a lot," he said. "I know they needed a lot of stuff. [Penn State staffers] put a lot of attention into them and made sure they got what they wanted and made sure everyone got what they needed." By the time he made a return trip — this time for an official visit the weekend of June 10, 2022 — Nelson had seen enough. He abandoned plans to take more official visits and made a verbal commitment to the Nittany Lions two weeks later on June 25. "The day we left from up there, I was thinking about it," Nelson said. "I gave it a little bit more time to think. I talked to my parents about it." Easy enough in concept, the at-home feeling Nelson carried back to Alabama was more difficult to maintain in real- ity. He continued to receive interest from some of the nation's top programs, and that interest was reciprocated. In Sep- tember, he was on hand in Jordan-Hare Stadium for Penn State's game against Auburn — as a guest of the Tigers. Two months later, he took an official visit to Ole Miss. Andy Frank, Penn State's general man- ager of personnel and recruitment, said it's not uncommon for ties to loosen when prospects are coming from more-distant parts of the country. "There's an attraction to a place that dissipates the farther you get away," Frank said. "But at the end of the day, for us to get where we need to go, we need to take a national approach. When the kids get here, [they're] going to realize just how well they fit, like DaKaari Nelson. They're going to get here and it's going to be so obvious to those that are around them why they're here." Although the uncertainty lingered into December, Nel- son ultimately came to that same conclusion. "Even before I commit- ted, I knew that it was always Penn State," he said. "But this is a life-changing decision, so you want to give every school that's still trying that last chance." ■ Nelson had 72 tackles and 7 interceptions as a senior at Selma (Ala.) High. He returned 2 picks and 1 fumble for touchdowns. PHOTO BY RYAN SNYDER DaKaari Nelson To Alabama defensive standout, Penn State feels like home N AT E B A U E R | N A T E . B A U E R @ O N 3 . C O M S | 6-3 | 200 Selma High Livingston, Ala. Rankings Stars Nat. Pos. State On3 Consensus HHHH 177 14 15 On3 HHHH — 29 18 ESPN HHHH — 27 19 Rivals HHHH 74 3 11 247Sports HHHH 132 10 11 Statistics • Totaled 72 tackles, 7 interceptions, 7 pass breakups, a forced fumble and a fumble recov- ery as a senior • Returned 2 interceptions and a fumble for touchdowns • On offense as a senior, finished with 278 rushing yards and 123 receiving yards Notable • Twice won team MVP honors • Was a three-time first-team all-state per- former in Alabama's Class 5A • Owns Selma High track records in the 400-meter race (52.50 seconds) and as part of a 4x400 relay team • Played in the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game Recruitment • Committed to the Nittany Lions on June 25, 2022 • Picked Penn State over Auburn, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Clemson and Florida State • Recruited by safeties coach Anthony Poin- dexter • Officially visited Penn State on June 10, 2022 2023 Projection Nelson will start his Penn State career at safety, but he has the size, speed and strength to contribute immediately on special teams. He could be in line for early playing time, although his long-term future may be at line- backer. They Said It BWI analyst Thomas Frank Carr: "If you view Nelson purely as a safety, you'll be slightly disappointed in his lack of overt speed and explosiveness. On the other hand, if you view him as an underneath de- fender with man coverage skills, he's a fas- cinating prospect. Nelson possesses a rare blend of talents and the kind of versatile body type that could allow him to complete defensive coordinator Manny Diaz's system. If he continues to develop physically, he's got the length and size to transition into the box." T H E N E L S O N F I L E