Former blue chip defender changing role ahead of second year with Penn State football, per reports

A rising young defender is set to make a notable change as he enters year two with Penn State football. According to a report from Blue White Illustrated’s Sean Fitz on Sunday, redshirt freshman DaKaari Nelson moved from safety to linebacker during Nittany Lions training camp this month.

Nelson arrived in Happy Valley as a top-five recruit for Penn State football in the 2023 cycle, according to 247Sports. Ranked as the outlet’s No. 10 safety and No. 133 overall prospect in the class, expectations were always set high for the Selma, Alabama, product.

But Nelson’s large size has made his ultimate place in the Nittany Lions defense somewhat of a debate over the last year.

“Verified at 6-2, 190-pounds plus, appears to possess the growth potential to add additional weight to his frame,” 247Sports National Recruiting Analyst Cooper Petagna wrote of DaKaari Nelson in 2022. Nelson checks in at 6-3, 217 pounds on the current Penn State football roster. “…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.”

DaKaari Nelson appeared in two games for Penn State football during his true freshman season, tallying no recordable stats in contests against Delaware and Ole Miss.

Nelson’s move helps add depth to shifting Penn State linebacker room

Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

The decision to move DaKaari Nelson from safety comes after an offseason with many moving pieces at linebacker for the Nittany Lions.

Of course, Penn State football lost veteran linebacker Curtis Jacobs to the NFL. The Nittany Lions also shifted star defender Abdul Carter up to the line to serve primarily as an edge rusher for the 2024 campaign.

Additionally, Penn State suffered an off-the-field blow earlier this month when redshirt freshman Kaveion Keys was one of two Nittany Lion defenders dismissed from the program.

While likely not the ultimate driver behind Nelson’s timely position change, there should be ample opportunity for on-the-job training this fall.

Penn State football opens the season on the road at West Virginia on August 31.

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