The Penn State Nittany Lions have made it to the College Football Playoff semifinals. After a strong year in the Big Ten, they defeated the SMU Mustangs in the opening round, suffocating the opposing offense. The defense shined again in the quarterfinals as the team shut down Ashton Jeanty and the Boise State Broncos. All eyeballs will be on the semifinal matchups, especially those of NFL scouts. All of the teams have strong prospects that will get picked in April’s draft. Let’s take a look at the top five players who will be suiting up for Penn State.
Penn State Nittany Lions Draft Prospects
These rankings are courtesy of NFL Draft Buzz. I am also making some assumptions about who is declaring and who isn’t. For example, quarterback Drew Allar has stated he intends to return to Happy Valley next year. However, some reports have said if he has a strong run in the playoffs, he could change his mind. I don’t have him ranked in this list because the player himself has stated he is staying. With those caveats out of the way, let’s get to the list.
1. Abdul Carter, Defensive End
2024 Stats: 63 tackles, 40 solo tackles, 22 tackles for loss, 11.0 sacks, 3 passes deflected, 2 forced fumbles
If you are talking about Penn State Nittany Lions draft prospects, you have to mention Carter. The junior has had a monster season. His 22 tackles for loss and 11.0 sacks led the Big Ten conference. In his three years at Penn State, he has racked up 22.0 sacks and five forced fumbles. It isn’t a surprise that the NFL Draft Buzz has him ranked as one of the top ten prospects. He has great closing speed and a wide array of pass-rush moves. He uses a combination of power and speed to keep offensive linemen guessing.
One thing that makes him one of the elite edge rushers in this class is his ability to do more than just rush the passer. Every year, we see edge rushers who can get to the quarterback but struggle in other aspects of the game. Carter has great instincts and can diagnose plays quickly. In his college career, he has over 100 solo tackles. If there is a knock on him, it is he has trouble against more complex offenses, but that can be solved by good coaching. The All-American will be on the top of many draft boards going into the NFL Draft.
2. Tyler Warren, Tight End
2024 Stats: 98 receptions, 1,158 receiving yards, 8 touchdowns, 197 rushing yards, 4 rushing touchdowns
The tight-end position has gotten a lot of love in the past two drafts. There are five or six players drafted in the past two years who have become solid contributors to their teams very quickly. Many believe Warren could be another young player who could come in and be great right away. He has the complete package for a tight end. His athleticism allows him to line up anywhere in the formation. Warren is a natural hands-catcher and has plucked the ball out of the air on many occasions for the Penn State Nittany Lions.
In the run game, he has a nasty demeanor, looking to put defenders on the ground. His blocking does need some refinement, but there is a willingness to get involved. Teams may also worry about his inexperience in the position. However, the increase in offenses using tight ends in creative ways means Warren becomes a tantalizing prospect. Don’t be surprised if a team takes him in the first round of the NFL Draft.
3. Kevin Winston Jr., Safety
2024 Stats: 13 tackles, 8 solo tackles, 1 forced fumble
Winston Jr. hasn’t been able to showcase his skills as much in 2024 because of injuries. Penn State has missed his presence on the field. In 2023, he only missed 2% of his tackles, ranking second among all college football safeties. His greatest asset is his versatility. He can play the nickel, single-high, and even come down and play more of a linebacker role. Winston Jr. has natural ball skills and shows a willingness to fill gaps in the run game.
He does have a bad habit of getting handsy in coverage. Some scouts also worry about his frame against larger running backs in the league. Players coming off an injury are also tricky to evaluate. Much of the analysis will be done on 2023’s film as well as workouts and interviews leading up to the NFL Draft. However, we have seen elite play out of him, and some teams could get a steal if he falls to day two or three.
4. Nicholas Singleton, Running Back
2024 Stats: 1,015 rushing yards, 6.5 yards per rush, 72.5 yards per game, 9 rushing touchdowns, 39 receptions, 342 receiving yards, 5 receiving touchdowns
The 2025 NFL Draft is loaded with running backs. NFL Draft Buzz has Singleton ranked as the ninth overall running back, which is crazy considering how good of a season he has had for Penn State. However, it speaks to the strength of the class. More than any other position, running backs come in many varieties, and teams use two and sometimes three backs in different situations. Singleton runs with great balance and bursts through the hole. He is a bigger back who has a nose for the endzone, often falling forward to reach the ball across the goal line.
One concern teams may have is his effectiveness in the passing game. Singleton has potential. He has shown soft hands and an ability to get upfield. However, his route tree is limited. The good news for Singleton is while do-it-all backs are valuable, players with niche skills have a place in the NFL. Plenty of teams have a “third down back” or a “goal-line back.” The Penn State back could easily be an early down player for a team and come out on obvious passing situations. With how deep the running back class is, some teams are going to get a steal at the position.
5. Kobe King, Linebacker
2024 Stats: 88 tackles, 49 solo tackles, 9 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks, 1 pass deflected, 1 forced fumble
King is a quality player for the Penn State Nittany Lions. He has steadily gotten better over the years, with 2024 being his best season by far. The team touts his leadership, a trait many NFL teams will look for in the later rounds of the NFL Draft. Listen to what head coach James Franklin had to say in mid-November about King.
“Kobe is just playing really well. It’s hard to take that guy off the field because he runs your defense.”
Franklin didn’t say he was the best player on the team but that he was running the defense. He makes those around him better. That is a skill that is hard to teach. We’ve seen many players become steals because of qualities that do not show up on a stat sheet. King’s stock has been rising and could continue to climb if he plays well in the semifinals.
Final Thoughts
It isn’t a surprise looking up and down the roster that Penn State made it this far. As mentioned before, Drew Allar would be up there if he were to declare. These players get the unique opportunity to improve their draft stock on the national stage. We’ve seen many players rise up draft boards because of big performances in the College Football Playoff. The Nittany Lions take on Notre Dame Thursday night for a shot at the national championship.
