DaKaari Nelson, a former four-star recruit with SEC size and Big Ten experience, is now exploring his next chapter - and it could be with the NC State Wolfpack. The 6-foot-3, 220-pound defender began an official visit to Raleigh yesterday, signaling real interest in joining Dave Doeren’s program.
Nelson was one of the more highly regarded players in the 2023 recruiting cycle. Rivals pegged him as the No. 74 overall prospect in the country, the third-ranked safety nationally, and the No. 11 player in the state of Alabama. That kind of pedigree doesn’t just disappear - even if his time at Penn State didn’t unfold the way some might have expected.
Over two seasons in Happy Valley, Nelson saw action in 29 games, though most of his contributions came on special teams. Defensively, he logged just 72 snaps across his career, with only two coming this past season. But there’s more to the story than just playing time.
Nelson entered college as a rangy safety, but after packing on more than 30 pounds, he made the move to linebacker. That kind of physical transformation isn’t easy, and it speaks to his willingness to adapt and find a role on the field. At 220 pounds, he brings the kind of hybrid versatility that’s increasingly valuable in today’s college defenses - especially in schemes that ask linebackers to cover ground like safeties and hit like traditional backers.
Because he only played in two games during his true freshman season, Nelson still has two years of eligibility remaining. That gives him time not just to contribute, but to grow into a bigger role - potentially as a starting linebacker or a key piece in a rotational front seven.
For NC State, this visit is worth watching. The Wolfpack have built a reputation for developing defensive talent, and Nelson could be a strong fit in a system that values physicality and positional flexibility. Whether he ends up committing or not, his presence on campus shows he’s serious about finding the right spot to reboot his career.
This is a player with size, athleticism, and SEC-caliber recruiting credentials - all still in play. Now it’s about finding the right system and coaching staff to unlock the potential that made him a top-100 recruit just a few years ago.