Penn State linebacker Kobe King makes stay or go decision; is he coming back or going to the NFL?
Penn State redshirt junior linebacker Kobe King is one of the many Nittany Lions who had a stay-or-go decision to make following the end of the 2024 season. He has now made up his mind. The Detroit, Mich., native is going pro. He took to social media on Tuesday to announce the news.
“I want to thank god for blessing me and allowing me to pursue my passion
To the best of my ability,” he wrote. To my coaches and staff here at this amazing university, I want to express my gratitude for the time, effort, and belief you have invested in me. The support from coach [James] Franklin, coach [Dan] Connor, coach Manny [Diaz], and coach [Brent] Pry- your guidance has helped me prosper over the last four years, both on and off the field.
“To the best fans in the nation, thank you for showing my teammates and me unwavering support. Nothing compares to the energy and passion you bring to every game. I want to give a shoutout to my teammates for trusting in me and allowing me to help lead us through battles and adversity without second-guessing. The relationships we’ve built and the brotherhood we’ve formed will never diminish.
More: Penn State 2025 roster rundown: Who’s coming back, who’s leaving, and how many announcements are outstanding?
“To my loving parents, l am beyond grateful and thankful for the unconditional love and support you have shown me. Thank you for the sacrifices you’ve made to get me where I am today. They have truly molded me into the man I am. With that being said, after looking back at everything I’ve cultivated here and reflecting on the lengthy conversations and prayers about the next step, I have decided to forego my final year of eligibility to declare for the 2025 NFL draft. “I will forever bleed blue and white.”
King became a leader of the Nittany Lions’ defense in 2024. He had the coach-to-player in-helmet communication system in his ear anytime he was on the field, which was often: Per Pro Football Focus, he finished the year with 748 snaps, which was the most among linebackers and third on Tom Allen’s defense overall. He turned those into 97 tackles, which is second on the team, 8.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, and a forced fumble. It was by far his most productive year in blue and white.
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Former Penn State DC Tom Allen raves about Kobe King
As do many other people within the program. King gets much respect from teammates and coaches. It’s one of the reasons is a leader of the 2024 Penn State team.
“He’s played like an older, mature player supposed to play [and] he’s a really good tackler,” Allen said in December. He’s way better in space, I think that most people realize he has really, really, you know, loose hips, he can he can sink and bend and rush the passer and, you know, just do so many different things. He runs our defense. That’s a probably a big thing.
“I know it wasn’t here a year ago. But just from being around the guys here, this is something he needed to grow in was just the ownership of running the defense verbally. And he’s taken that on. He’s a captain, a guy that just has done everything. His play and production is matched up with his preparation. Which, has been impressive. And I think he’s elevated the whole room of linebackers. And I believe Kobe King’s a great linebacker.”
