Penn State cornerback Kalen King, a 2022 All-American who is a projected first-round draft pick, will forgo his final season of eligibility and enter the 2024 NFL Draft. King announced his decision after opting out of Penn State’s 38-25 loss to Ole Miss in the Peach Bowl. King was with the Penn State football program in Atlanta but did not play in the bowl game.
“My success, especially these last three seasons, would not have been possible without Coach [James] Franklin, Coach Terry [Smith] my Penn State teammates and my entire family,” King wrote in a social media post. “I never could have imagined receiving this amount of support and guidance from this remarkable coaching and support staff this football program has. I have been very blessed to have great teammates who have pushed me to be the player I am.”
King, a second-team All-Big Ten selection in 2023, was part of a Penn State pass defense that ranked second nationally in yards allowed (153.6 yards per game). He led the Big Ten in passes defended (21) and broken up (18) as a sophomore in 2022. This season, King faced fewer throws, breaking up two passes.
According to Sports Info Solutions, King allowed 15 completions (none for touchdowns) in 28 attempts this season. His passer rating against was 73.7, which ranked 25th in the Big Ten among defensive players who faced at least 20 attempts.
ESPN’s Matt Miller projects King as a first-round pick. In his latest first-round mock, Miller has King going to the Arizona Cardinals with the 20th overall pick.
“King was rated higher by NFL scouts than former Penn State teammate Joey Porter Jr. (No. 33 in the 2023 draft),” Miller wrote, “and while he isn’t as physical as Porter, he has better timing and ball skills.”
Penn State has not had a defensive back drafted in the first round in its history. Porter was projected to break that streak in the 2023 NFL Draft but went to the Pittsburgh Steelers as the first pick of the second round (No. 32 overall).
King played two seasons with twin brother Kobe, a linebacker, at Penn State. The two started this season for a Nittany Lions’ defense that ranked first nationally in total defense.