BREAKING: Penn State confirm unexpected as another top talented player leaves program

While Penn State managed to keep its quarterback this offseason, the Nittany Lions will lose the leader of their defense to the NFL. Linebacker, following a second-team All-Big Ten season as a redshirt junior, has declared for the 2025 NFL draft, giving up his final year of eligibility.

In addition to playing the third-most snaps for Penn State in 2024 and recording a career-high 97 tackles, he also served as the “green dot” player on defense during the first season of college football with in-helmet communication. Early in the season, there were communication challenges due to defensive coordinator Tom Allen’s raspy voice, but Penn State eventually resolved this by using a complex system where Allen would relay calls to former All-American linebacker Dan Connor on the sidelines, who then transmitted them to King’s helmet.

 

Penn State LB Kobe King announces intentions to enter NFL Draft

 

In addition to his nearly 100-tackle season, King also tallied three sacks, a pass breakup, and a forced fumble. A former three-star recruit and the brother of former Penn State cornerback Kalen King—who entered the NFL last offseason—Kobe finishes his college career with 200 tackles over 35 games.

King is joining superstar defensive end and Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year Abdul Carter as the only underclassmen from Penn State to declare for the 2025 draft. Meanwhile, juniors Drew Allar, Nicholas Singleton, Kaytron Allen, Zane Durant, and Dani Dennis-Sutton all confirmed they will return. This group, part of James Franklin’s standout 2022 recruiting class, arrived a year after King came to Happy Valley. Additionally, Dvon J-Thomas and Jalen Kimber from the 2024 defense have also declared for the draft.

King’s decision to leave comes just a day after news broke that defensive coordinator Tom Allen, after just one season on Franklin’s staff, is expected to take the same role at Clemson under Dabo Swinney. While it remains unclear who will replace Allen, rising junior linebacker Tony Rojas is expected to step into King’s role as the primary inside linebacker and green dot player. Rojas posted 58 tackles in his sophomore season.

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