After a year that landed Penn State in the College Football Playoff semifinal, 11 Nittany Lions declared for the 2025 NFL Draft.
The stocks of various ex-Penn Staters have drawn projections as high as No. 1 overall. Here’s where we think each player will end up.
Abdul Carter, DE
Abdul Carter will likely be the first player off of the board for Penn State, having the chance to be the highest drafted Nittany Lion since Saquon Barkley, who went No. 2 overall to the New York Giants in 2018. His position switch from linebacker to defensive end paid dividends in 2024, having been a disruptive force on the defensive line for Penn State in its playoff run.
Lyle Alenstein: No. 3 overall (Round 1) to the New York Giants
Avery Hill: No. 4 overall (Round 1) to the New England Patriots
Will Horstman: No. 3 overall (Round 1) to the New York Giants
Lexie Linderman: No. 2 overall (Round 1) to the Cleveland Browns
Tight end Tyler Warren (44) runs the ball during the Penn State football game against Maryland on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024 in Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pa. The Nittany Lions defeated the Terrapins 44-7.
Tyler Warren, TE
In a single season, Tyler Warren stole national attention with highlight plays week after week, namely a touchdown on a double-pass in which Warren started the play at center. Warren went on to win the John Mackey Award and solidified first-round buzz. He’s a projected top-15 pick, but if he goes top seven, Warren will be the highest-drafted Penn State tight end ever.
Lyle Alenstein: No. 7 overall (Round 1) to the New York Jets
Avery Hill: No. 5 overall (Round 1) to the Jacksonville Jaguars
Will Horstman: No. 10 overall (Round 1) to the Chicago Bears
Lexie Linderman: No. 7 overall (Round 1) to the New York Jets
Jaylen Reed, S
Jaylen Reed talked about all season how he was one of the most underrated safeties, and he backed up his talk by having comparable numbers to some of the top safeties in the country. In his final year as a Nittany Lion, he was a dangerous force in the secondary that might have NFL teams walk away with a steal if he falls late enough.
Lyle Alenstein: No. 146 overall (Round 4) to the Carolina Panthers
Avery Hill: No. 73 (Round 3) to the New York Jets
Will Horstman: No. 136 overall (Round 4) to the Baltimore Ravens
Lexie Linderman: No. 111 overall (Round 4) to the Carolina Panthers
Penn State Nittany Lions safety Kevin Winston Jr. (21) runs after a Rutgers quarterback to stop a play during the game between Penn State and Rutgers at Beaver Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023 in University Park, Pa. The Nittany Lions beat the Scarlett Knights 27-6.
Kevin Winston Jr., S
Kevin Winston Jr. might’ve only played in one full game for Penn State this year, but his physical presence and readiness for the NFL should have his name called pretty early. He was projected to be a first or second round pick entering 2024, and his stock might’ve only dipped slightly following his injury-plagued season.
Lyle Alenstein: No. 32 overall (Round 1) to the Philadelphia Eagles
Avery Hill: No. 41 overall (Round 2) to the Chicago Bears
Will Horstman: No. 48 overall (Round 2) to the Miami Dolphins
Lexie Linderman: No. 43 overall (Round 2) to the San Francisco 49ers
Linebacker Kobe King (41) sacks the quarterback during the College Football Playoff quarterfinal game at the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl between Penn State and Boise State on Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. The Nittany Lions beat the Broncos 31-14.
Kobe King, LB
Kobe King had one more year of eligibility, but he chose to forgo it due to feeling ready for the NFL Draft. He was a veteran presence as the MIKE linebacker, starting the last two years and was a leader in the locker room as a well-respected figure in the program.
Lyle Alenstein: No. 228 overall (Round 7) to the Detroit Lions
Avery Hill: No. No. 152 (Round 5) to the Arizona Cardinals
Will Horstman: No. 186 overall (Round 6) to the New York Jets
Lexie Linderman: No. 172 overall (Round 5) to the Seattle Seahawks
Cornerback Jalen Kimber (3) celebrates stopping the ball carrier during the first round game of the College Football Playoff between Penn State and Southern Methodist on Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024 in Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pa. The Nittany Lions beat the Mustangs 38-10.
Jalen Kimber, CB
Jalen Kimber made it clear when he transferred to Penn State that he only planned on playing one year in Happy Valley. He did just that, and raised his stock that included an impressive Pro Day, where he ran a pair of 40-yard dashes that clocked in at 4.39.
Lyle Alenstein: No. 206 overall (Round 6) to the Buffalo Bills
Avery Hill: Undrafted
Will Horstman: Undrafted
Lexie Linderman: No. 222 overall (Round 7) to the Las Vegas Raiders
Defensive tackle Dvon J-Thomas (91) attempts to bat down a pass during the first round game of the College Football Playoff between Penn State and Southern Methodist on Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024 in Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pa. The Nittany Lions beat the Mustangs 38-10.
Dvon J-Thomas, DT
Dvon J-Thomas will leave State College after a six-year career that ended in an Orange Bowl loss to Notre Dame. He departed from Penn State as a player that many people looked up to, and was a force on the interior of the defensive line as a run-stuffer.
Lyle Alenstein: Undrafted
Avery Hill: Undrafted
Will Horstman: Undrafted
Lexie Linderman: Undrafted
Julian Fleming, WR
Julian Fleming heads to the draft after spending just one season in Happy Valley. The former Ohio State Buckeye flashed as a run blocker but never lived up to his 5-star status out of high school due to lackluster production, which caused his stock to plummet.
Lyle Alenstein: Undrafted
Avery Hill: Undrafted
Will Horstman: Undrafted
Lexie Linderman: Undrafted
Defensive end Amin Vanover (15) celebrates a tackle during the first round game of the College Football Playoff between Penn State and Southern Methodist on Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024 in Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pa. The Nittany Lions beat the Mustangs 38-10.
Amin Vanover, DE
Amin Vanover never got a starting role throughout his five-year career with Penn State, but he was stuck behind some star pass rushers, such as Chop Robinson and Abdul Carter. He produced when given opportunities, which could draw intrigue from teams.
Lyle Alenstein: Undrafted
Avery Hill: Undrafted
Will Horstman: Undrafted
Lexie Linderman: Undrafted
Coziah Izzard, DT
Coziah Izzard leaves Happy Valley with five years of experience, though he was never able to land a full-time starting role. His final season came plagued with injury and in a deep defensive line room. Still, a six-tackle, one sack performance against Notre Dame and a quality Pro Day performance gives hope one team will give him a shot as an undrafted free agent.
Lyle Alenstein: Undrafted
Avery Hill: Undrafted
Will Horstman: Undrafted
Lexie Linderman: Undrafted
Offensive lineman Sal Wormley (77) rings the Victory Bell after Penn State football's White Out game against Washington on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024 in Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pa. The Nittany Lions crushed the Huskies 35-6.
Sal Wormley, IOL
Sal Wormley spent six years entrenched into Penn State’s offensive line. While various standout linemen have come and gone, Wormley, a three-year starter, has been a consistent, run-blocking guard for the Nittany Lions. He’s not expected to hear his name called, but his consistency in an increasingly prestiged offensive line room gives him a case.
Lyle Alenstein: No. 236 overall (Round 7) to the Houston Texans
Avery Hill: Undrafted
Will Horstman: Undrafted
Lexie Linderman: Undrafted
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