Penn State middle linebacker Kobe King making his case to start: ‘He’s got command of the defense’

The accolades have piled up for Kalen King. Penn State’s star cornerback, who ranked second in the FBS with 18 pass breakups in 2022, was named an ESPN preseason All-American and has been a staple on preseason awards watch lists. He will play a major role on a defense expected to be one of the best in the country.

And his sibling might, too.

Kobe King, Kalen’s twin brother, is pushing to start at middle linebacker. King is challenging the incumbent, Tyler Elsdon, during preseason camp as the Sept. 2 opener against West Virginia creeps closer by the day.

“He’s had a really good summer and training camp,” Nittany Lions coach James Franklin said last week. “… He’s moving well. He’s confident. He knows the defense. He’s got command of the defense, and he’s playing fast and aggressive because of his confidence.”

King hasn’t started a game for Penn State, though he’s far from inexperienced. The redshirt sophomore appeared in all 13 games last fall, competing for snaps with Elsdon, who was the regular starter at middle linebacker.

King finished fifth on the team in tackles with 41, just behind Elsdon’s 44. He totaled 310 defensive snaps to Elsdon’s 422, according to Pro Football Focus. King also chipped in four tackles for loss, three pass breakups and a fumble return touchdown in Penn State’s 55-10 win at Rutgers.

A big part of King’s push to overtake Elsdon is his progress in the weight room and with the nutrition staff. King, who was listed at 251 pounds at the start of spring camp, is right around 239 pounds, looking “like a ball of muscle,” Franklin said.

The experience King gained during spring ball helped his cause, too. Elsdon, who is healthy now, missed the entirety of camp with an injury that hampered him throughout the 2022 season. Getting extra snaps undoubtedly benefited King.

It would be quite an achievement for King to start on this Penn State defense, flanked by star sophomore Abdul Carter and NFL prospect Curtis Jacobs. Manny Diaz’s defenses have a penchant for getting after the quarterback and creating havoc in the secondary, and King could slot right into the middle of it all.

Even if he doesn’t — even if Elsdon holds onto the job, forcing King into a timeshare — he still is going to see the field. He is still going to have a role.

And now, after a productive spring and summer — losing weight and getting more comfortable within the defense — King is poised to take full advantage of whatever opportunity comes his way this fall.