Monday was about solidifying the core of Penn State’s roster for 2025.
Tuesday was about saying goodbye to those moving on. Mostly.
On the same day that Tom Allen was officially hired as defensive coordinator at Clemson, three key contributors announced they would not be returning.
Middle linebacker Kobe King is headed to the draft to join twin brother Kalen in the NFL. And the Nittany Lions will likely be without their two most productive wide receivers as Harrison Wallace and Omari Evans explore their options in the transfer portal.
Penn State did get good news, as well, as veteran center Nick Dawkins announced he would return for the extra season afforded to him by the pandemic.
“We had a great season this year, but there is still unfinished business,” Dawkins wrote on social media. “That is why I have decided I will forgo the NFL draft and return to Penn State for my sixth and final season in 2025.
“We have accomplished so many great things here as a family, but I believe the best is yet to come.”
In addition, defensive lineman Smith Vilbert indicated he would also return in 2025, which would require using a medical hardship waiver from the NCAA for a seventh year.
Dawkins joins a group of players that includes QB Drew Allar, RBs Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen, DE Dani Dennis-Sutton, DT Zane Durant and S Zakee Wheatley who elected to return to Penn State for another run at a national title.
That leaves middle linebacker and wide receiver as two major obstacles on the road to that goal.
King was a stabilizing force this season and was a major reason why the Lions had one of the country’s best run defenses.
“After looking back at everything I’ve cultivated here and reflecting on the lengthy conversations and prayers about the next step, I have decided to forego my final year of eligibility to declare for the 2025 NFL draft,” King wrote on social media.
“I will forever bleed blue and white.”
With King leaving and Tyler Elsdon out of eligbility, it remains to be seen if the Lions will look for a linebacker in the portal or work with what they have. Anthony Speca is a classic middle linebacker but will only be a redshirt freshman. Keon Wylie missed all of last season while recovering from an injury and could play in multiple spots.
But those decisions will be made in part by a new defensive coordinator after Allen left for the same job at Clemson. His contract with the Tigers was approved Tuesday.
Lions coach James Franklin has landed a former Power Four head coach to lead his defense the last two times the job opened, bringing in Allen and Manny Diaz before him. Both men fielded defenses that ranked in the top 10 nationally in multiple categories.
On offense, wide receiver will be under the microscope for the third straight offseason. Wallace and Evans followed reserves Mehki Flowers and Tyler Johnson, who left earlier. Julian Fleming is out of eligibility.
That leaves Liam Clifford, who would be a fifth-year senior, and Kaden Saunders, who rarely played in 2024 because of an injury, as the only players in line to return with notable playing experience. Tyseer Denmark got a brief look late in the year as a true freshman who was redshirting.
As things stand now, the top targets at wideout could be a pair of additions in the transfer portal — USC’s Kyron Hudson and Troy’s Devonte Ross.