Penn State Sports Magazine
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3 8 A P R I L 2 0 2 5 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M KEVIN WINSTON JR. S | 6-1 | 215 Projection: Second-/Third-Round Pick Heading into the 2024 season, safety Kevin Winston Jr. was viewed by some draft watchers as a potential first- round pick. He certainly looked the part in the Nittany Lions' opener, finishing with 12 tackles against West Vir- ginia. Then he suffered a right leg injury in practice a few days later. He tried to play through it in the Lions' home opener against Bowl- ing Green but left the game in the second quarter and didn't return. It turned out to be Win- ston's last appearance in a Penn State uniform. He underwent surgery three weeks later and has been rehabbing ever since. Winston's injury has altered his draft outlook in ways that likely won't be- come apparent until he hears his name called, probably sometime on Day 2. In addition to missing nearly all of his final college season, he didn't participate in any drills at the NFL Scouting Com- bine. While he said he expects to be fully healthy by the time NFL training camps open, he's had to make his case in interviews rather than by wowing scouts in workouts. " W h e n w e ' r e g o i n g through film, I'm show- ing that I know what's go- ing on, showing that I can dissect a formation, show- ing that I can learn a game plan by going over it one time and coming back to it," Winston said. "Right now, the big thing for me is my mental [preparation]. Physically, I've shown that I can run with guys, I can tackle guys, I can cover guys. Right now, it's about showing that I can go into an NFL safety room and learn the game plan and be a guy who can call the defensive plays and patrol the secondary." Winston is listed by Pro Football Focus as the No. 5 safety in the draft and No. 82 overall prospect. PFF noted that his 2023 tape "made him a pros- pect worthy of going in the first round. While his recent injury muddies his projection, he's still one of the top safe- ties if he can fully recover." NFL.com gives Winston a 6.28 pros- pect grade, indicative of an average starter. Analyst Lance Zierlein said he "has NFL size and traits" and notes that he's "much better when he's engaged and playing forward, where his play strength and consistency as a tackler stands out." For his part, Winston still sees him- self as a first-round talent. "The injury doesn't change a thing," he said. "If I had played my junior sea- son, I would have shown exactly what I was supposed to show. … When I come back, you're going to see all of that and more. There's no doubt in my mind." — Matt Herb KOBE KING LB | 6-1 | 236 Projection: Fourth-/Fifth-Round Pick Kobe King was less heralded than his twin brother, Kalen, when the two came to Penn State in 2021 out of Cass Tech in Detroit. Kalen, a cornerback, enjoyed a meteoric rise his first two seasons, struggled a bit as a junior and ended up going to Green Bay late in the seventh round a year ago after a disappointing performance at the NFL Scouting Com- bine. Kobe wasn't an early-impact player like his brother, but there's a case to be made that the sturdy linebacker had an even better college career. After red- shirting his freshman year, he saw ac- tion in 42 games over the next three sea- sons, making 27 starts, including all 16 games last fall. A second-team All-Big Ten performer, King was the Lions' de- fensive quarterback from his Mike line- backer spot and finished second on the team with 97 tackles while compiling an 83.6 defensive grade from Pro Football Focus, second-best on the team behind only Abdul Carter. King could have stayed at Penn State for one more season but opted to forgo his remaining eligibility to enter the draft. He said that his steady rise at PSU convinced him he was ready to take his shot at the NFL. "Looking back at my pro- cess and the way I prepared, I definitely felt like I pro- gressed throughout my ca- reer and excelled in certain areas, growing as a player and a person and a man," King said. "I felt I was ready to take the next step and show that I can be one of the best at the next level." King received a 6.16 prospect grade from NFL.com, reflective of the view that he could be a quality backup with the potential to develop into a starter. NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein described King as a "big, productive in- side linebacker who needs to play with good technique to make up for athletic and speed limitations. King is best in the confines of the box, where he can play downhill and utilize his physicality. He's good with block take- ons and can compress the runner's workspace." King said his brother has been helping him prepare for the draft. Kalen spent most of the 2024 season on the Packers' practice squad, and while he plays a different position, he's been a valu- able resource now that Kobe is ready to follow him into the league. "We're two different people. I'm a linebacker, he's a corner," Kobe said. "But he definitely gave me some tips, things to do looking ahead to the pro- cess." — Matt Herb