While Penn State was able to retain its quarterback this offseason, the Nittany Lions are losing the quarterback of their defense to the NFL. After his second-team All-Big Ten redshirt junior season, linebacker Kobe King has declared for the 2025 NFL draft, forgoing his final season of collegiate eligibility.
On top of playing the third most snaps for Penn State in 2024 and finishing second in tackles with a career-high 97, King was the green dot player on the defense for the first season of college football with in-helmet communication. After defensive coordinator Tom Allen’s raspy voice caused communication issues early in the season, Penn State settled on a complex game of telephone with Allen relaying the call to former All-American linebacker Dan Connor on the sidelines, who translated into King’s helmet.
On top of his near-100 tackle season, King also recorded three sacks, a pass breakup, and a forced fumble. A former three-star recruit and brother of former Penn State cornerback Kalen King, who left for the NFL last offseason, Kobe finishes his collegiate career with 200 tackles across 35 games.
King joins superstar defensive end and Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year Abdul Carter as the lone Penn State underclassmen to declare for the 2025 draft. Juniors Drew Allar, Nicholas Singleton, Kaytron Allen, Zane Durant, and Dani Dennis-Sutton all announced their returns. Though that group were all members of James Franklin’s loaded 2022 class, a year after King arrived in Happy Valley. Dvon J-Thomas and Jalen Kimber have also declared for the draft from the Nittany Lion’s 2024 defense.
The news of King’s departure comes just one day after the news that Allen, after just one season on Franklin’s staff, will likely be heading to Clemson to take on the same role for Dabo Swinney. It’s not clear who Penn State will hire to replace Allen, but rising junior linebacker Tony Rojas is likely to fill King’s shoes on the field as the primary inside linebacker and green dot player. Rojas recorded 58 total tackles in his true sophomore season.