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Dallas County is quickly becoming a hot spot for finding major college football talent.

Selma High School safety DaKaari Nelson is the latest athlete in line to sign a Division I scholarship from a Football Bowl Subdivision program. Nelson verbally committed to Penn State last weekend over Auburn and  a few other SEC programs and plans to sign during the NCAA Early Signing Period in December.

A few miles down the road at Southside High School, wide receiver Derick Smith will be in a similar position as Nelson next year. Smith has several SEC offers, including Alabama, Georgia and Arkansas.

The recent run of Division I signees began three years ago when Selma offensive tackle Jeremiah Wright signed with Auburn University.

Nelson’s older brother, Dion Nelson, plays at Tennessee-Martin.

We credit and applaud Selma and Southside’s successes to their head coaches, Willie Gandy and Charles Moody Jr. They arrived in Dallas County a few years ago and quickly began developing athletes for the collegiate level.

We are always glad to see college coaches visit Dallas County and recruit our players. They deserve the opportunity to reach the next level.