Kobe King Declares for 2025 NFL Draft, Penn State’s Linebacker Legacy Shines Bright

Redshirt junior Kobe King announced Tuesday evening his decision to declare for the 2025 NFL Draft, officially concluding his college eligibility.

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A two-year starter for the Nittany Lions, King leaves Happy Valley after an impressive career at middle linebacker, amassing 200 tackles, 4.5 sacks, and 19 tackles for loss (TFLs). His standout season came in 2024, where he recorded 97 tackles, 3 sacks, and 9 TFLs.

In his heartfelt farewell message to Penn State, King expressed gratitude to coaches James Franklin, Brent Pry, Manny Diaz, and Dan Connor, notably omitting current Clemson defensive coordinator Tom Allen—a detail that raised some eyebrows.

For Penn State, King’s departure leaves a gap, but the linebacker unit remains well-stocked heading into 2025. Tony Rojas and Dom DeLuca return as experienced contributors, while Keon Wylie (RS JR) is set to make a comeback from injury and compete for the starting Mike linebacker role. Young talents like Ta’Mere Robinson (RS SO) and Anthony Speca (RS FR) will also vie for snaps, providing the Nittany Lions with promising options for the upcoming season.