Linebacker, NC State (from Penn State), 2023–26
DaKaari Nelson
- Number
- No. 19
- Height
- 6′3″
- Weight
- 232 lb
- Class (2026)
- Senior
- Hometown
- Livingston, AL
DaKaari Nelson plays linebacker for NC State, after Penn State (2023–25). Last time out, against Louisville: 3 tackles.
2026 so far
6 tackles
Last game: 3 tackles vs. Louisville, W 31–28
Next game: at Stanford, Oct 23
Filled bars: wins; outlined: losses.
Defense
* The season in progress, so far.
| Season | Team | Tkl | Solo | TFL | Sacks | PD | Hur |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Penn State | 5 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 | Penn State | 5 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2026 | NC State | 6 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
| Career | 16 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | |
Season lines from CollegeFootballData, regular season and bowls.
On the roster
| Season | Team | No. | Pos | Class | Ht | Wt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Penn State | 19 | LB | Fr. | ||
| 2024 | Penn State | 19 | LB | So. | ||
| 2025 | Penn State | 19 | LB | Jr. | ||
| 2026 | NC State | 19 | LB | Sr. | 6′3″ | 232 |
As each season’s roster listed the player (CollegeFootballData). Classes before the latest listing are counted back from it; “Yr 1” is the year on file where that count can’t place a season he played (a redshirt, transfer or 2020 year); height and weight as last listed.
Game by game
2026 NC State 2 games, 6 tackles
| Date | Opponent | Result | Tkl | Solo | TFL | Sacks | PD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 26 | vs. App State | W 41–31 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Oct 3 | vs. Louisville | W 31–28 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
2025 Penn State 4 games, 5 tackles
| Date | Opponent | Result | Tkl | Solo | TFL | Sacks | PD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 30 | vs. Nevada | W 46–11 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 13 | vs. Villanova | W 52–6 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Nov 1 | at Ohio State | L 14–38 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Nov 22 | vs. Nebraska | W 37–10 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2024 Penn State 4 games, 5 tackles
| Date | Opponent | Result | Tkl | Solo | TFL | Sacks | PD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 28 | vs. Illinois | W 21–7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Oct 12 | at USC | W 33–30 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Nov 16 | at Purdue | W 49–10 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Dec 31 ✦ | vs. Boise State | W 31–14 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Box scores from CollegeFootballData, 2004 on. ✦ postseason; ★ a career high on file.
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