Kalen King has received the call to the NFL.
A junior cornerback who opted to go pro after three seasons at Penn State, King was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the 7th Round, 255th overall Saturday in the 2024 NFL Draft.
A second-team All-Big Ten selection, King totaled 29 tackles, 1.5 tackles-for-loss, and two passes defended last season. Similar to Joey Porter Jr. during his final season at Happy Valley, King did not grab an interception.
Pairing next to Porter during the 2022 campaign, King thrived in the Penn State secondary. He nabbed three interceptions, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and recorded an impressive 21 passes defended as quarterbacks avoided Porter and targeted the younger and lesser-experienced King. He was up for the challenge. 2023 was more problematic and tackling remains an issue. King’s stock has fallen drastically since the end of the season and was once viewed as a potential first-round pick or early second round selection before the draft process.
He opted out and did not play in the Peach Bowl against Ole Miss. King finished his collegiate career with 82 tackles, 5.5 tackles-for-loss resulting in 12 lost yards, 28 passes defended, and three picks. King’s best statistical performance this year was at Ohio State with all of his tackles for loss and six total wrap ups in a low-scoring game where both offenses struggled, but Marvin Harrison and the OSU offense eventually helped the Buckeyes to pull away.
King helped the Nittany Lions finish 21-5 over the past two seasons with two New Year’s Six appearances and a victory over Utah in the 2023 Rose Bowl.
