Five former Penn State football players were selected in the 2025 NFL draft, which was held in Green Bay, Wisconsin, from April 24-26. In addition to the five players selected in the draft, four players signed with NFL teams as undrafted free agents. WGAL is here to break down each selection and how they fit with their new teams. Penn State has had at least five selections in each of the last eight NFL drafts.It also marks the first time in program history that Penn State has five or more draft picks in eight straight seasons, joining Alabama and Georgia as the only FBS programs to accomplish that feat. Defensive end Abdul Carter - New York Giants (1st round, No. 3 overall)Carter did not wait to hear his name called in the first round of the NFL draft, as he was the consensus No. 1 pass rusher in this year's class. The New York Giants were already loaded on the defensive line with the likes of Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux and Dexter Lawrence, but with quarterback Cam Ward and Swiss-army knife Travis Hunter off the board, Carter was the obvious pick. You can never have enough depth at the defensive end position, and the Giants will find a way to get Carter on the field as much as possible. With experience as an off-ball linebacker, Carter could see some time there, as well as in traditional snaps off the edge. Either way, he will see a ton of snaps at the NFL level in year one. Tight end Tyler Warren - Indianapolis Colts (1st round, No. 14 overall)Warren was not the first tight end selected in the draft, but was still a first-round selection by the Colts. Indianapolis had a near-desperate need for a pass-catching tight end who plays with physicality, and they found a perfect match in Warren.The team has two quarterbacks in Daniel Jones and Anthony Richardson who have struggled mightily in finding any type of consistency on the field, and Warren will provide a security blanket in the middle of the field. He should immediately supplant Mo Alie-Cox as the starting tight end in the Colts' offense.Safety Kevin Winston Jr. - Tennessee Titans (3rd round, 82 overall)If not for a partially torn ACL injury that knocked Winston out for the majority of the 2024 season, he had the potential to be drafted as one of the top safety prospects in the first or second round. Despite that, Winston was still listed as a top five player at the position and the Titans saw enough to warrant a Day 2 selection. Having not played since September and still recovering from his injury, Winston will likely be a primary reserve at the position for the Titans. With Tennessee having Xavier Woods and Amani Hooker as projected starters, Winston could eventually find himself in prime position to take over as starter for a team in a rebuilding stage. Safety Jaylen Reed - Houston Texans (6th round, No. 187)Reed was the second defensive back from Penn State to be selected in the NFL draft. Being drafted in the sixth round, Reed will likely fill out the bottom of the depth chart at the position. The Texans just traded for C.J. Gardner-Johnson in the offseason, and Calen Bullock recorded five interceptions in 2024. Reed is not a lock to make the active roster spot, being selected so late in the draft, but if he does make the team, he will need to prove his worth on special teams to begin his professional career. Linebacker Kobe King - Minnesota Vikings (6th round, No. 201)King was the fifth and final Penn State Nittany Lion to find a home in the NFL draft, joining one of the top defensive units in the NFL. With the Minnesota Vikings utilizing a 3-4 defensive scheme, King could carve out a role as a backup inside linebacker to begin his NFL career. He is not guaranteed a roster spot, but the depth chart is muddy behind starters Blake Cashman and Ivan Pace Jr. He will also see time on special teams. Undrafted free agent signings:Sal Wormley, offensive lineman — Jacksonville JaguarsJulian Fleming, wide receiver — Green Bay PackersCoziah Izzard, defensive tackle — Kansas City ChiefsJalen Kimber, cornerback — Tennessee Titans
Five former Penn State football players were selected in the 2025 NFL draft, which was held in Green Bay, Wisconsin, from April 24-26.
In addition to the five players selected in the draft, four players signed with NFL teams as undrafted free agents.
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WGAL is here to break down each selection and how they fit with their new teams.
Penn State has had at least five selections in each of the last eight NFL drafts.
It also marks the first time in program history that Penn State has five or more draft picks in eight straight seasons, joining Alabama and Georgia as the only FBS programs to accomplish that feat.
Defensive end Abdul Carter - New York Giants (1st round, No. 3 overall)
Carter did not wait to hear his name called in the first round of the NFL draft, as he was the consensus No. 1 pass rusher in this year's class.
The New York Giants were already loaded on the defensive line with the likes of Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux and Dexter Lawrence, but with quarterback Cam Ward and Swiss-army knife Travis Hunter off the board, Carter was the obvious pick.
You can never have enough depth at the defensive end position, and the Giants will find a way to get Carter on the field as much as possible.
With experience as an off-ball linebacker, Carter could see some time there, as well as in traditional snaps off the edge. Either way, he will see a ton of snaps at the NFL level in year one.
Tight end Tyler Warren - Indianapolis Colts (1st round, No. 14 overall)
Warren was not the first tight end selected in the draft, but was still a first-round selection by the Colts.
Indianapolis had a near-desperate need for a pass-catching tight end who plays with physicality, and they found a perfect match in Warren.
The team has two quarterbacks in Daniel Jones and Anthony Richardson who have struggled mightily in finding any type of consistency on the field, and Warren will provide a security blanket in the middle of the field.
He should immediately supplant Mo Alie-Cox as the starting tight end in the Colts' offense.
Safety Kevin Winston Jr. - Tennessee Titans (3rd round, 82 overall)
If not for a partially torn ACL injury that knocked Winston out for the majority of the 2024 season, he had the potential to be drafted as one of the top safety prospects in the first or second round.
Despite that, Winston was still listed as a top five player at the position and the Titans saw enough to warrant a Day 2 selection.
Having not played since September and still recovering from his injury, Winston will likely be a primary reserve at the position for the Titans.
With Tennessee having Xavier Woods and Amani Hooker as projected starters, Winston could eventually find himself in prime position to take over as starter for a team in a rebuilding stage.
Safety Jaylen Reed - Houston Texans (6th round, No. 187)
Reed was the second defensive back from Penn State to be selected in the NFL draft.
Being drafted in the sixth round, Reed will likely fill out the bottom of the depth chart at the position.
The Texans just traded for C.J. Gardner-Johnson in the offseason, and Calen Bullock recorded five interceptions in 2024.
Reed is not a lock to make the active roster spot, being selected so late in the draft, but if he does make the team, he will need to prove his worth on special teams to begin his professional career.
Linebacker Kobe King - Minnesota Vikings (6th round, No. 201)
King was the fifth and final Penn State Nittany Lion to find a home in the NFL draft, joining one of the top defensive units in the NFL.
With the Minnesota Vikings utilizing a 3-4 defensive scheme, King could carve out a role as a backup inside linebacker to begin his NFL career.
He is not guaranteed a roster spot, but the depth chart is muddy behind starters Blake Cashman and Ivan Pace Jr. He will also see time on special teams.
Undrafted free agent signings:
- Sal Wormley, offensive lineman — Jacksonville Jaguars
- Julian Fleming, wide receiver — Green Bay Packers
- Coziah Izzard, defensive tackle — Kansas City Chiefs
- Jalen Kimber, cornerback — Tennessee Titans
