Penn State football adds four-star safety from Alabama to 2023 class

Penn State dipped into Alabama for a recruit for the second time in five days Saturday afternoon. Four-star safety DaKaari Nelson announced his commitment to the Nittany Lions via his Twitter account.

Nelson joins top 100 recruit Tomarrion Parker as commits from Alabama, with Parker announcing for Penn State Tuesday afternoon. The latest commit plays for Selma High School in Selma, Alabama, and is the No. 23 safety in the country according to the 247Sports Composite player rankings.

He chose Penn State over 16 other scholarship offers, including those from Clemson and Tennessee.

The Alabama safety is the No. 19 player in his home state, according to the rankings, and projects as an above average starter per 247Sports national recruiting analyst Cooper Petagna’s report from February on Nelson’s profile page.

“Verified at 6-foot-2 and 190-pounds plus, appears to possess the growth potential to add additional weight to his frame,” the report says. “Three-phase player, displays above average athleticism in all phases of the game.

“Positioned the majority of snaps at the safety position, also sees some time at the corner position. Flashes some good feel and instincts as a press man defender. Wins with physicality and length at the point of attack. Long speed to play the deep part of the field is somewhat of a concern, but shows the ability to add coverage ability in the short to intermediate part of the field. Displays excellent ball production and awareness. Recorded 8 INTs in his junior season, in addition to two pick-6s. Limited sample size as a tackler on film, but flashes some physicality at the point of attack.

“Position projection will depend on physical growth but skill set points to playing closer to the line of scrimmage in a hybrid safety-backer role at the next level. Physical traits translate to playing more in the box with ability to play sideline to sideline and be of value in the passing game as a coverage defender. Projects as an above average multi-year starter at a Power Five program at the next level and will add value on multiple special teams units.”

Nelson is the 15th commitment currently in Penn State’s 2023 recruiting class and fifth-highest rated. His addition moves it up one spot in the 247Sports Composite team rankings from No. 4 to No. 3.