Kobe

King

Celebrated for his hard-hitting, violent playing style, King (6’1/236) profiles as a potential two-down starter in the NFL. He lacks overall elite athleticism but was clocked at a 1.57-second 10-yard split (93rd percentile RAS) and pumped out 26 bench press repetitions at Penn State’s Pro Day. The latter sum would have tied for the positional high at the NFL Scouting Combine. King started for the Nittany Lions over the last two seasons and promisingly posted career highs in solo tackles (55), stops (38), TFLs (15) and quarterback pressures (nine) in 2024 regular season play. He thrived in the postseason limelight, racking up 19 solo tackles in Penn State’s three combined playoff and bowl games.

King is joining his twin brother, Kalen, in pledging to Penn State. The twins both play on the defensive side, but while Kalen is a defensive back, Kobe projects as a linebacker at the next level. In the 247Sports composite rankings, King ranks 20th among inside linebackers. Penn State continues to have a strong 2021 class, and with the three commitments they picked up on Friday (they also received a pledge from four-star wideout Zakee Whitley), their class now ranks 14th overall in the 247Sports team ranks.

King has 26 offers in total and 247 sports ranks him as the 16th best junior in the state of Michigan. King was in attendance for Wisconsin’s mauling of Michigan last weekend, a team that King also has an offer from. The impressive victory Saturday is leading to recruiting wins off-the-field as well as Wisconsin going right into the Wolverines’ backyard to attempt to sway Kobe and also his twin-brother Kalen to Madison.