Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1545675
1 1 0 A U G U S T 2 0 2 6 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M Player Pos. Career Starts NATE BRUCE OL 0 Bruce spent only a couple of months with the Nittany Lions. After enrolling in January 2021, he left Penn State during the summer prior to the start of preseason camp. He ultimately chose not to play college football anywhere. JAMARI BUDDIN LB 0 Buddin spent the 2021 and '22 seasons at Penn State, totaling 31 and 52 snaps, respectively. Over 13 games, he tallied 12 tackles and a fumble recovery before leav- ing via the transfer portal ahead of the 2023 season. He resurfaced at New Mexico State, where he did not see any game action, then headed to Grand Valley State in Michigan, finishing with 9 tackles in nine games during the 2024 season. Last fall, Buddin made 28 tackles, including 8 for loss and 2 sacks, for the Lakers. LIAM CLIFFORD WR 15 After a redshirt season in 2021, Clifford found a role in the receiver rotation, finish- ing the 2022 campaign with 8 catches for 89 yards in 12 games. He then posted 13 receptions for 130 yards in 2023 while earn- ing his first start. The Ohio native became a full-time starter in 2024, when he hauled in 18 receptions for 286 yards and a touch- down in 16 games. During his final season of eligibility in 2025, Clifford returned a blocked punt for a touchdown against UCLA, while also making 3 receptions for 25 yards on offense. JEFFREY DAVIS JR. CB 0 Davis spent two seasons in State College with one game appearance. The Connecti- cut native transferred to Stony Brook, where he played in four games over the next two years. He opted not to use his final season of eligibility. KHALIL DINKINS TE 13 Dinkins made his name as a blocker, often doing the dirty work while other tight ends played starring roles in the passing game. With Tyler Warren gone, Dinkins seemed headed for a starring role himself in 2025, but he ended up catching only 14 passes for 167 yards and 2 touchdowns. In the three years prior, he totaled 23 receptions for 334 yards and 5 touchdowns after redshirting in 2021. Dinkins signed with the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent following the 2026 NFL Draft. KALEN KING CB 22 King spent three seasons at Penn State be- fore leaving school early to enter the 2024 NFL Draft. After totaling 23 tackles and 5 pass breakups in 13 games as a freshman in 2021, the Detroit native enjoyed a breakout sophomore year. He earned second-team Walter Camp All-America honors in addi- tion to an All-Big Ten nod after leading the conference with 21 passes defended and 18 pass breakups. King also tallied 3 intercep- tions in addition to 30 tackles. As a junior, he recorded 29 tackles and 2 pass breakups, earning unanimous second-team All-Big Ten honors. The Green Bay Packers selected King in Round 7 of the draft. He is now with the Arizona Cardinals. KOBE KING LB 27 Kalen King's twin brother spent four seasons at PSU. After seeing action in four games and making 3 tackles while redshirt- ing in 2021, King played in all 13 games the following year, notching 41 tackles and re- turning a fumble 14 yards for a touchdown at Rutgers. In 2023, he became a full-time starter, finishing with 59 tackles, includ- ing 6 for loss, and 1.5 quarterback hurries en route to honorable mention All-Big Ten honors. A captain in 2024, King started all 16 games. He made 97 tackles, including 8.5 for loss and 3 sacks, earning second-team All-Big Ten recognition. King went to the Minnesota Vikings in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft and is now with the New York Jets. RODNEY McGRAW DE 0 McGraw recorded 1 tackle in five games at Penn State before transferring to Louisville. After playing five games for the Cardinals in Harrison Wallace III caught 84 passes for 1,221 yards and scored 6 touchdowns at Penn State before heading to Ole Miss for his final season. PHOTO BY STEVE MANUEL CLASS OF 2021 SUMMARY Players in class: 16 | On3 Team Ranking: No. 18