Ranking the best position hauls in Penn State Football’s 2023 recruiting class

2. Defensive Backs

Penn State Football wasn’t always known for its defensive back play, but times are changing.

The improvement on the field has led to improvements in recruiting.

The Nittany Lions landed five defensive backs in the 2023 class, with four being 4-star recruits.

Two cornerbacks from Florida highlight the group. They are Elliot Washington, a former Alabama commit, and King Mack, who may profile best at the nickel position. Mack is rated as the No. 87 player in the composite while Washington is No. 169.

Joining them at corner is 4-star Zion Tracy, who earned his Penn State offer over the summer after a strong camp showing. The 5-foot-11 Tracy rose all the way up to the No. 441 player in the nation after being unranked in the summer.

At safety is where we find arguably the steal of the class for Penn State in 4-star DaKaari Nelson from Alabama. Nelson, listed at a well-built 6-foot-3 and 203 pounds, is the No. 168 player in the composite. He is rated as the No. 12 safety in the country. The fact Penn State pulled him out of Alabama is quite impressive.

Finally, we find maybe the most versatile member of the group in 3-star Lamont Payne. Listed as a corner, there’s reason to believe the 6-foot-1 Payne could also make the move to safety.

This group is full of size and speed and will be asked to do a lot as sophomores with Kalen King, Storm Duck, Johnny Dixon and Keaton Ellis all slated to move on after 2023.