Penn State football has multiple defenders rank highest returning in the Big Ten

Heading into the 2024 season, several underclassmen are poised to have a breakout season for Penn State football. But, before they step into the spotlight, Nittany Lion fans must appreciate the talent that has already proven its worth. With Curtis Jacobs off to the NFL and Abdul Carter moving to defensive end, linebackers Kobe King and Dom DeLuca step into more prominent roles this fall. Where both players rank as the first and second high-graded Big Ten defenders according to PFF.

Kobe King enters his redshirt junior season in 2024. This is a player that has developed over the years and last season took a step in the right direction coming off of a career year. He appeared in 13 games and made 11 starts at middle linebacker. Kobe King shared a special connection with his brother Kalen King on the field last fall. Now, with Kalen playing for the Green Bay Packers, Kobe will focus on growing his future to hopefully play in the NFL as well.

Recently, PFF ranked the highest-graded Big Ten run defender at linebacker whereas Kobe King ranked the biggest in the league. King held a ranking of 85.3 against the run last fall. He accounted for 59 tackles, 6 tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks last fall.

Highest Graded Big Ten Run Defenders (LBs):

🐾 Kobe King, Penn State: 85.3
🐾 Dominic DeLuca, Penn State: 84.7 pic.twitter.com/ULT0OCltNL

— PFF College (@PFF_College) June 15, 2024

DeLuca eyeing a breakout season

With Abdul Carter‘s move to defensive end, it opened up a role at the outside linebacker position. A role that Dom DeLuca would have rotated into regardless if he was a starter or not. But with Carter on the move, it’s safe to say DeLuca and Tony Rojas will likely be the starting outside linebackers heading into fall camp.

DeLuca ranked just behind Kobe King with an 84.7 rating against the run. The former walk-on has risen above every challenge he has faced on the field. Last season he made his presence known, appearing in all 13 games recording 29 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, and 2 interceptions. The savvy veteran will now have the opportunity alongside Kobe King to carry on the tradition at LBU this fall.

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