A Way Too Early Look at Penn State’s Potential 2025 NFL Draft Class

The 2024 NFL Draft only wrapped up last weekend, but it is not too early to look at some of the top Penn State prospects who might declare for the 2025 NFL Draft following next season.

PSU tied for the sixth most NFL draft picks among schools in 2024 with eight Nittany Lions selected, the second most in the seven-round NFL draft era.

Looking ahead to 2025, Penn State’s class could be even larger, depending on how many Nittany Lions forgo senior eligibility and declare early.

Here are the names to know for Penn State ahead of the 2025 NFL draft:

Out of eligibility

Penn State has four players carrying redshirt-senior plus status that probably do not have eligibility (including Covid eligibility) to return to Penn State after next season:

Defensive tackle Hakeem Beamon
Offensive guard Sal Wormley
Defensive tackle Dvon Ellies
Defensive end Smith Vilbert

Penn State Redshirt seniors and seniors who may or may not have another year of eligibility:

Defensive end Zuriah Fisher
Center Nick Dawkins
Offensive guard JB Nelson
Safety Jaylen Reed
Wide receiver Julian Fleming
Defensive end Amin Vanover
Cornerback Jalen Kimber
Defensive tackle Coziah Izzard
Tight end Tyler Warren
Linebacker Tyler Elsdon

Redshirt juniors that will have another year of eligibility

Offensive tackle Nolan Rucci
Linebacker Kobe King
Tight end Khalil Dinkins
Safety Zakee Wheatley
Wide Receiver Harrison Wallace III
Linebacker Dom DeLuca

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Penn State Juniors

The Penn State junior class is the most intriguing for NFL draft declarations.

The 2022 class was a huge part of the recent success for Penn State, with major contributors carrying junior status into the 2024 season.

Quarterback Drew Allar

Coming off of a productive year in which he led the Big Ten in passing touchdowns and ranked second nationally in touchdown to interception ratio, Allar returns for a second year as Penn State’s starting quarterback.

If Allar raises his level of play in his second season starting, he could be among the top names at the quarterback position in the 2025 NFL draft. If not, he could be coming back for a fourth season at Penn State. the 2024 season will play a large role in whether or not Allar forgoes his final season of eligibility and declares for the NFL after next season.

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Running backs Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen

Both Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen have turned heads in their two years on campus. While both split the carries for Penn State and do not put up eye staggering numbers, both will be on NFL radars after next season.

If either or both show out in Andy Kotelnicki’s offense in 2024, they could declare for the draft after next season. The shelf life of an NFL running back is short enough, both could look to make the jump as soon as possible.

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Defensive ends Dani Dennis Sutton and Abdul Carter

Both of Penn State’s starting defensive ends from 2023 were selected in the first three rounds of the 2024 NFL draft.

If both 2024 expected starters Dani Dennis Sutton and Abdul Carter play up to their potential in 2024, there is a chance that both could be selected higher than Chop Robinson and Adisa Isaac were in 2024.

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Safety KJ Winston

KJ Winston had a phenomenal season in 2023 in his first season starting at safety. If he puts up similar production in 2024, he could be one of the top names at the safety position on the 2025 NFL draft board.

Depending on how the 2024 season goes for the Nittany Lions, the 2025 roster could look vastly different than it does this season. Nittany Lions fans will want to savor this season because it could be the last time to see many major contributors for Penn State in blue and white.