DaKarri Nelson committed to Penn State as a safety and played there through his first season in Happy Valley, plus the next spring practice.
But going back to his high school days, many who follow recruiting suspected that Nelson would eventually become a linebacker.
Yes, it was at safety where Penn State noticed Nelson, which led to it offering him the scholarship he’d sign.
But Nelson’s a big guy (6-foot-3, 217 pounds). So PSU coach James Franklin knew almost instantly that a position change was possible.
The change became reality over the weekend, as first reported by Sean Fitz of Blue-White Illustrated.
“I think with a lot of these guys, we recruit them and bring them here based on kind of what position they played in high school,” Franklin told reporters after practice Tuesday evening, “but right away he was 220 pounds and fighting it.”
Another factor was Penn State’s depth at each position.
At safety, the team returns both is its starters from last season in projected first-round pick KJ Winston and Jaylen Reed, a veteran presence who’s also likely to be drafted next spring.
At linebacker, Penn State has to account for the losses of Curtis Jacobs, now with the Kansas City Chiefs, and Abdul Carter, who is still with Penn Sate but moved to defensive end this winter.
“Obviously, we need a little bit more depth at linebacker, and you’re looking at creative ways to solve problems,” Franklin said. “We had a conversation with him. He was open to it. It’s really been good for him and us. He’s playing physical right now, showing up a lot in practice, making plays. I think he’s excited about it.”
Franklin said Nelson’s lack of experience at LB makes things uncertain, but thus far, he’s been handling it well.
“He’s never done it before,” Franklin said. “You’re kind of unsure. But I think it’s genetics, we’re kind of telling them (he could switch positions). And then an opportunity presented itself, and he’s moved there. So far, so good. He’s done some really nice things.”
