Four-star safety Dakaari Nelson commits to Penn State football

posted June 25, 2022 in CommRadio, Sports by Alex Rocco

The big wheels keep on turnin' for Penn State.

The Nittany Lions went to “Sweet Home Alabama” to secure their two most recent 2023 commitments.

After landing four-star defensive end Tomarrion Parker on Tuesday, the blue and white picked up four-star safety Dakaari Nelson on Saturday afternoon.

Nelson is the No. 15 player to join James Franklin’s class and marks the second safety to commit, along with fellow four-star Conrad Hussey.

The Selma, Alabama, native visited Happy Valley several times and loved it.

“Every corner you turn, you see something about Nittany Lions or Penn State,” Nelson said in an interview. “I love that a lot.”

Nelson is the No. 23 safety in the nation while being ranked No. 271 in the class, according to 247sports.

He stands at 6-foot-3 and 203 pounds and has a similar build to the Nittany Lions' most recent star safety Jaquan Brisker measured at 6-foot-1, 201 pounds.

Brisker had success in State College as he was an All-American this past campaign and was taken by the Chicago Bears in the second round of this past NFL Draft.

Franklin’s program offered Nelson last August, and the safety made his first trip to Beaver Stadium in late November, watching the blue and white take down Ruthers on Senior day.

Nelson took his official visit on Jun. 10, and Penn State was the lone school he took an official visit. The Nittany Lions were in his top six, along with Auburn, Clemson, Kentucky, Oregon and Tennessee.

With the addition of Nelson, the Nittany Lions have the fourth-best class in the nation and are second in the Big Ten behind Ohio State.

Alex Rocco is a rising third-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email alex.rocco1702@gmail.com.