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Penn State linebacker Kobe King goes in the NFL Draft; where will he start his pro career?

Greg Pickelby:Greg Pickel•about 19 hours•

GregPickel

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Penn State linebacker Kobe King. (Credit: Greg Pickel | Blue White Illustrated)

Penn State linebacker Kobe King will start his pro career in Minnesota. The Vikings took him in Round 6 with the No. 201 overall pick on Saturday. He joins his brother, Kalen, in leaving the Lions early for a chance to play at the next level.

“I just thought I was ready to take the next step and ready to show the next level that I can be one of the best,” Kobe King said at the NFL Combine, per PennLive. “It was a long, thought-out process for me. A lot of things to think about, a lot of things to talk about with my family and go over. Really it started intrinsically, just talking to myself and sticking with my gut and seeing how I really feel.”

He went on to say that the Penn State coaching staff supported his decision.

“From their standpoint, it was all ‘It would be great to have me back for another year.’ We had multiple meetings, long talks, but they definitely supported my decision and would support me if I came back as well,” King said, again per PennLive. “But they definitely expressed to me how mature I’ve become, how my process has been increasing since I first got here. I thought I was a pro, and they definitely agreed with it.”

King joins Abdul Carter, Tyler Warren, KJ Winston Jr., and Jaylen Reed in the Lions’ 2025 NFL Draft class so far. The 257-pick selection process wraps up later today in Green Bay, Wisc.

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How will Penn State replace Kobe King?

The Michigan native wasn’t kidding when he said that Penn State would have loved to have him back for another season. However, with Jim Knowles now implementing a 4-2-5 base defense, his decision to leave a year of eligibility on the table doesn’t stink quite as bad as it once did. Tony Rojas, Dom DeLuca, and Keon Wylie will lead the way for position coach Dan Connor. Ta’Mere Robinson would have been part of the rotation. But, he transferred to USC. It means redshirt freshman Anthony Speca will be asked to step up in a big way this fall, barring a transfer portal addition at the position.








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