Former Penn State football linebacker DaKaari Nelson has committed to transfer to NC State, per Chris Hummer of CBS Sports. He has two years of eligibility remaining.

Nelson redshirted his freshman season in 2023 before appearing in 14 games in 2024, making a name for himself on defense. He made his first career start against Illinois in September. He tallied five tackles in 2024 and 2025, where he played in 13 games. He recorded two tackles against Nebraska in November.

The Selma, Alabama, native committed to Penn State as the No. 14 player in the state, No. 13 safety in the class of 2023, and No. 176 player in the nation, per 247Sports’ Composite rankings. He made the move to linebacker when he arrived in Happy Valley.

Despite Tony Rojas’ injury, Nelson couldn’t carve a deeper role in Penn State’s linebacker room. With Rojas returning to the program in 2026, Nelson is the 38th Nittany Lion to find a new program and the fourth linebacker to do so. He is the second Nittany Lion to join the Wolfpack after King Mack transferred there earlier this month.