Plum’s Darian Nelson offers all-around talent, leadership in senior season

By: Jerin Steele
Monday, August 19, 2024 | 2:53 PM

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At the beginning of Plum’s football practices, Darian Nelson is one of the vocal leaders, counting out with a booming voice while everyone stretches.

Nelson has been playing on both sides of the ball since he was a freshman and has learned from the older guys along the way.

Now it’s his turn to do the teaching, and he’s ready to do so as he aims to get the Mustangs back into the postseason for the first time since 2020.

“It’s been really exciting,” Nelson said. “I get to finally step into that leadership role as the top guy, and it’s been going really well. The team is looking good. We’re bonding, well and I’m excited for the season.”

Nelson is a dynamic threat every time he laces up his cleats, whether he’s on offense, defense or returning kicks. He had 42 receptions for 619 yards and nine touchdowns a season ago.

He displayed his athleticism over the summer at various college camps and received his first NCAA Division I offer from St. Francis (Pa.) in June. He also has offers from several PSAC schools.

There hasn’t been a commitment yet, but the offer was a big boost of confidence.

“It was a big deal for me and my family,” Nelson said of his first Division I offer. “My whole house was screaming and yelling after I got it. I had a good camp, and when I visited (St. Francis) they extended me a full scholarship. It’s really exciting. A lot of hard work paying off.”

In talking with college coaches, many have told him they project him as a defensive player.

He’s still working to improve route running to be the threat he has been at receiver, but, at the same time, he’s refining his skills as a defensive back.

“I’ve been working on my technique on defense with my feet,” Nelson said. “That’s been the focus with a lot of the guys here, getting drills in defensively and just trying to do my best.”

Nelson has several teammates returning with him, including 1,000-yard rusher Nick Odom. Darian Slaughter and Dorrian Anderson return on the offensive line.

Nelson and Slaughter not only share a first name, but they also each have an offer from St. Francis. Slaughter also has offers to VMI and Mercyhurst.

The pair have been friends for a long time.

“We live about a two-minute walk from each other, so we’ve been hanging out since second grade,” Nelson said. “He’s basically family. It’s great having a good player like that on the team with the accomplishments he has.”

One thing Nelson hasn’t experienced as a high school player is a postseason game. The Mustangs’ path to get in the playoffs this year has a new slate of conference opponents in Fox Chapel, North Hills, Penn Hills, Pine-Richland and Shaler after moving over to the Class 5A Northeast Conference.

Five years ago, Plum was in a WPIAL semifinal against Thomas Jefferson. Nelson would love to see the Mustangs replicate the magic of that season in his final act.

“In 2020, we had a team that went 8-1 and won a conference championship, and we’re trying to get back on that pace,” Nelson said. “Ask anyone here, and that’s their goal.”

Jerin Steele is a freelance writer

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