Penn State's Kalen King Invited to Senior Bowl

Penn State cornerback Kalen King will take advantage of a new Senior Bowl rule, becoming the first Nittany Lions underclassman invited to the college football all-star game. The 2024 Senior Bowl is scheduled for Feb. 3 in Mobile, Alabama.

King is the fourth Penn State football player to accept a Senior Bowl invitation, joining fellow cornerback Johnny Dixon, defensive end Adisa Isaac and tight end Theo Johnson. All four players will interact with NFL coaches, front-office personnel and scouts during the week of practice and training. The 75th Senior Bowl will be televised on NFL Network.

In 2023, the NFL and Senior Bowl changed their eligibility rules, allowing draft-eligible underclassmen to participate for the first time. Prior to this year's Senior Bowl, only players who had exhausted their college eligibility could participate. King and Penn State defensive end Chop Robinson are among 34 players the NFL granted special eligibility for the 2024 NFL Draft.

King publicly declared for the NFL Draft on Dec. 31, one day after Penn State's appearance in the Peach Bowl. King participated in game-week activities, including practice, with the Nittany Lions but did not play in the game. With King and Dixon out, Penn State allowed a season-high 394 yards passing in a 38-25 loss to Ole Miss.

King, a second-team All-Big Ten selection in 2023, was part of a Penn State pass defense that ranked second nationally in yards allowed (153.6 yards per game). He led the Big Ten in passes defended (21) and broken up (18) as a sophomore in 2022. This season, King faced fewer throws, breaking up two passes.

According to Sports Info Solutions, King allowed 15 completions (none for touchdowns) in 28 attempts this season. His passer rating against was 73.7, which ranked 25th in the Big Ten among defensive players who faced at least 20 attempts.

ESPN's Matt Miller projects King as a first-round pick. In his latest first-round mock, Miller has King going to the Arizona Cardinals with the 20th overall pick.

"King was rated higher by NFL scouts than former Penn State teammate Joey Porter Jr. (No. 33 in the 2023 draft)," Miller wrote, "and while he isn't as physical as Porter, he has better timing and ball skills."