Rivals · 2023 Class · LB · DaKaari Nelson

Penn StatePenn State Nittany Lions

DaKaariNelson

Selma, ALSelma

Jersey

#19

Pos

HT / WT

6-3 / 233

Class

92.46

Rivals

NATL: #74
POS: #3
ST: #11

On3

NATL: —
POS: #29
ST: #18

ESPN

NATL: —
POS: #27
ST: #19

247

NATL: #132
POS: #10
ST: #11

The Journey

Class of 2023

Penn State Nittany Lions

Nittany Lions

ENROLLED

Selma Saints

2022 – 2022

HIGH SCHOOL

Film

HIGHLIGHTS · ANALYSIS · COMMIT FILM

Highlights · 10/01/21

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Team Predictions

Industry Consensus · RPM Picks

All Teams All Predictions

Team

Prediction

Recruited By

Distance

Class Rank

Draft Pos (5yr)

Draft Total (5yr)

NC State

ENROLLED1/16/2026

N/A

—

533 mi

Penn State

ENROLLED

96.5%

PAnthony Poindexter

767 mi

Auburn

OFFERED

N/A

—

93 mi

Tennessee

OFFERED

N/A

—

299 mi

Clemson

OFFERED

N/A

—

288 mi

NC StateENROLLED

—

N/A

Penn StateENROLLED

Anthony Poindexter

96.5%

AuburnOFFERED

—

N/A

TennesseeOFFERED

—

N/A

ClemsonOFFERED

—

N/A

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Latest News

Rivals Network · Premium Coverage

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5 transfers vital to the success of NC State’s defense in 2026

Noah Fleischman5/8/26

What Penn State transfer LB DaKaari Nelson’s pledge means for NC State

Noah Fleischman1/16/26

Penn State linebacker DaKaari Nelson will transfer to N.C. State, becoming 38th former Lion to pick a new school

Greg Pickel1/16/26

Scouting Report

1 Report

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DaKaari Nelson Scouting Summary

Charles Power

12/10/22

Penn State safety commit DaKaari Nelson caught our eye at Alabama-Mississippi All-Star practices with his plus size and range as a run defender. 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.