Selma (Ala.) High four-star safety DaKaari Nelson announced his commitment to James Franklin and Penn State on Saturday, choosing the Nittany Lions over his other finalists in Auburn, Clemson, Tennessee, Oregon and Kentucky.
The 6-foot-3, 203-pound Nelson returned to Happy Valley the weekend of June 10 after attending the game against Rutgers in the fall.
“Definitely the way they treated my family the first and second time we went up there,” Nelson said of what set Penn State apart. “My family loved it both times.
“How close-knit the players were. When I went on my official there I really loved how the players were tight and the coaches too.”
Nelson is tabbed by the Top247 and 247Sports Composite as the country’s No. 23 safety. His pledge sees the Nittany Lions pass Clemson for the 247Sports Composite’s No. 3 class in the land. Anthony Poindexter led the charge.
“I really love Coach Franklin and Coach Poindexter,” Nelson said. “They don’t sugarcoat anything. They’re going to tell you how it is and they’re not going to beat around the bush and tell you what you want to hear.