Penn State’s Joey Porter Jr. is a projected 1st-round pick. Is Kalen King next?

STATE COLLEGE — Joey Porter Jr. believes he’s the top cornerback in the NFL Draft. At the very least, the former Penn State star is locked in as a projected first-round pick. Whether you listen to analysts or skim mock drafts, that’s the consensus.

Kalen King has been among the audience keeping tabs on his old teammate.

“I’m watching all of it,” King said after Tuesday’s spring practice. “The interviews, the mock drafts, all that. I’m happy for him. A few months ago, I was playing with this guy and talking with him every day. Now to see him live his dream. … it’s amazing.”

Porter appears set to make history as the first Penn State defensive back selected in the first round. This time next year, King could become the second.

King is poised for a Porter-like campaign. He has the pedigree, the production and the opportunity to cement his status as one of the top corners in college football.

King already posted top-notch numbers in 2022, ranking third in FBS with 21 passes defensed. His 90.6 coverage grade on Pro Football Focus ranked fourth nationally and second in the Big Ten behind Illinois’ Devon Witherspoon.

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Witherspoon, Porter and Oregon’s Christian Gonzalez are considered the three best corners in this year’s draft class. If King wants to be in a similar conversation, he will need to live up to the expectations.

King, a 2022 second-team All-Big Ten pick, was named a preseason All-American by Walter Camp last week. And those accolades are going to keep coming.

“I have no choice but to see it,” King said with a smile. “It’s preseason for a reason. I don’t really get into predictions. It’s definitely a good accolade to have to know that people are noticing the work you’re putting in. Everything I did last year is finally coming to light. So I’m grateful for the accomplishment. But the work is definitely not done. Now I have to become an All-American.”

King also feels like he has to become a leader in the corner room sans Porter.

The Nittany Lions added North Carolina transfer and All-ACC pick Storm Duck, who will provide experience. Johnny Dixon (12 passes defensed in 2022) is up to the task. Early returns on Cam Miller are positive after his freshman season. King said the room is “on the rise,” and he is confident about where they’re going as a group.

There are also three early enrollees — Elliot Washington, Lamont Payne and Zion Tracy — who need guidance. King said Washington’s “relentless” nature, Payne’s intellect and Tracy’s long arms have been evident. But they could use a leader.

“I have to work on that,” said King, who acknowledged he never had to be a vocal presence even in high school. “I have to become more of a leader for the young guys. They’re coming in and clearly looking for somebody to look to and looking for a standard. I feel like I have to be the standard for everyone in the corner room.”

It’s not a coincidence that NFL teams already are interested in the rising junior. Porter said during interviews, some scouts and coaches have asked about King.

“I just tell them that he’s a dog, and he’s probably going to be a future CB1,” Porter said after pro day. “I’ve got high hopes for that kid. Everybody does in the building. He’s a dog. He puts in the work, day in and day out. I’m proud of him.”