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The Nittany Lion Effect: Penn State's 2025 NFL Takeover

December 3, 2025

The Nittany Lion Effect: Penn State's 2025 NFL Takeover

When the 2025 NFL season kicked off in September, 45 former Penn State players spread across 25 different organizations took the field.1 That's not just a number—it's a testament to one of college football's most consistent NFL pipelines.

From superstar defensive ends earning record-breaking contracts to rookie tight ends making immediate impacts, the Nittany Lion presence in professional football has never been stronger. And with five more Penn State products hearing their names called in the 2025 NFL Draft, including two first-rounders, Happy Valley's NFL takeover shows no signs of slowing down.

The Numbers Tell the Story

Penn State Nfl Draftees

Penn State's NFL presence isn't just impressive—it's elite. With 45 players on active rosters to start the 2025 season, the Nittany Lions rank among the top 20 programs nationally in producing NFL talent, a position they've held consistently for years.2

The 2025 NFL Draft reinforced this pipeline. Five Penn State players were selected, marking the eighth consecutive year the program has sent at least five players to the league.3 That kind of consistency is rare in college football and speaks to the player development system head coach James Franklin has built in State College.

Penn State 2025 NFL Draft Class:

Player Position Pick Team
Abdul Carter DE 3rd overall New York Giants
Tyler Warren TE 14th overall Indianapolis Colts
Drew Allar QB 2nd round Atlanta Falcons
Jaylen Reed S 6th round (187th) Houston Texans
Kobe King LB 6th round (201st) Minnesota Vikings

The Abdul Carter selection at No. 3 overall is particularly noteworthy. It marks the highest Penn State defensive lineman taken since Courtney Brown went first overall to Cleveland in 2000, and the highest Penn State player selected since Saquon Barkley went second overall in 2018.4

For Franklin's program, it's validation of what they've been building. Since his arrival in 2014, Penn State has sent 59 players to the NFL, including 25 taken on the first two days of the draft. Franklin has also produced 16 drafted defensive backs in that span—more than any other active FBS head coach.5

The Star Power

While the depth of Penn State's NFL presence is impressive, it's the star power at the top that truly sets the program apart.

Micah Parsons Green Bay

Micah Parsons: The $186 Million Man

No Penn State player looms larger in today's NFL than Micah Parsons. After four dominant seasons with the Dallas Cowboys, Parsons was traded to the Green Bay Packers in August 2025 and immediately signed a four-year, $186 million contract extension—making him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history at the time.6

The deal, which includes $136 million guaranteed, reflects Parsons' status as one of the league's most disruptive defensive forces. In his first four seasons, he registered 52.5 sacks—the fifth-most by any player in their first four years in NFL history. He's also earned four Pro Bowl selections and three All-Pro honors.7

What makes Parsons' story even more impressive is his versatility. After playing linebacker at Penn State from 2018-19, Dallas converted him to defensive end as a rookie when DeMarcus Lawrence got injured. The position switch unlocked Parsons' full potential, and he became one of the few players in NFL history to record 12-plus sacks in each of his first four seasons.8

In Week 7 of the 2025 season, Parsons showed why Green Bay paid him. He dominated the Cardinals with five tackles, four tackles for loss, three sacks, and five quarterback hits in a 27-23 Packers victory.9 It was vintage Parsons—relentless, disruptive, and game-changing.

The Tight End Factory

Penn State has quietly become one of the nation's premier tight end factories, and 2025 showcased that pipeline perfectly.

Tyler Warren, the 2024 Mackey Award winner as college football's best tight end, went 14th overall to the Indianapolis Colts in April's draft. In his NFL debut, Warren turned heads with seven catches for 76 yards, immediately showing he belongs at the next level.10

But Warren isn't alone. Pittsburgh's Pat Freiermuth, a second-round pick in 2021, continues to be one of the Steelers' most reliable weapons. In Week 12 alone, he caught three passes for 19 yards and a touchdown.11 Over his career, Freiermuth has established himself as a legitimate NFL starter, exactly what Penn State tight ends have been doing for years.

Giants Te Theo Johnson

The Giants' Theo Johnson represents another chapter in this story. In Week 12, Johnson had three catches for 77 yards, continuing to develop in his second NFL season.12 The Jaguars' Brenton Strange had an even bigger day, hauling in five catches for 93 yards.13

When you add it all up, Penn State had multiple tight ends making significant contributions across the league in 2025—a testament to how the program develops the position.

The Secondary Pipeline

Penn State's reputation as "DBU" (Defensive Back University) isn't just marketing—it's backed by consistent NFL production.

Joey Porter Jr., the son of NFL legend Joey Porter, has emerged as one of Pittsburgh's key defensive pieces in his third season. In Week 12, he recorded three tackles for the Steelers.14 His development has been steady, and he's become exactly the kind of reliable cornerback the Steelers envisioned when they drafted him in the second round of the 2023 draft.

Safety Jaquan Brisker continues to be a force for the Chicago Bears. In Week 7, Brisker collected six tackles, including four solo, one tackle for loss, and two quarterback hits in Chicago's 26-14 win over New Orleans.15

The depth doesn't stop there. Ji'Ayir Brown (49ers), Nick Scott (Panthers), and rookie Jaylen Reed (Texans) all contribute in various roles. Reed, despite starting the year on injured reserve, was activated and made his NFL debut in November, showing the kind of depth Penn State consistently produces at the position.16

The Skill Position Stars

While Penn State is known for defense, the offensive side has produced plenty of NFL talent in recent years.

Saquon Barkley: Still Elite

Though Saquon Barkley now plays for the Philadelphia Eagles, his Penn State roots run deep. The former second overall pick continues to be one of the NFL's most dynamic running backs, leading the league in rushing through the first 12 weeks of the 2025 season.

Barkley's presence in Philadelphia, combined with his former teammate Jahan Dotson at wide receiver, gives the Eagles two Penn State products on their roster. In Week 5, Dotson contributed on multiple phases, catching a 24-yard pass while also returning a punt for 15 yards.17

The Emerging Receivers

Parker Washington

Jacksonville's Parker Washington has become one of the NFL's most exciting young receivers. In Week 12, Washington had five catches for 71 yards and a touchdown, plus two punt returns for 43 yards and even a tackle.18 His versatility and playmaking ability make him a valuable weapon for the Jaguars.

Cincinnati's Mitchell Tinsley also found the end zone in Week 12, catching two passes for 29 yards and a touchdown for the Bengals.19 These younger receivers are carrying on Penn State's tradition of producing NFL-caliber wideouts.

The 2025 Rookie Class Makes an Impact

Penn State's five-player draft class in 2025 wasted no time making their presence felt in the NFL.

Abdul Carter, the No. 3 overall pick, joined a loaded Giants defensive line that already features Kayvon Thibodeaux, Brian Burns, and Dexter Lawrence. Carter played defensive end for the first time in 2024 after spending his first two years at linebacker—a versatility that made him such a valuable prospect.20

Tyler Warren's seven-catch, 76-yard debut for the Colts showed exactly why Indianapolis invested a first-round pick in him. Warren caught three passes for 43 yards on the Colts' opening drive alone, never looking back as he played 53 offensive snaps (73%) in Indianapolis' dominant win over Miami.21

Meanwhile, linebacker Kobe King became the 72nd linebacker drafted from Penn State—the most in NFL history.22 That stat alone illustrates the program's dominance at developing the position.

The Coaching Tree

Penn State's NFL impact extends beyond players. Four Penn State alumni are coaching in the NFL in 2025, led by Al Golden, the Cincinnati Bengals' defensive coordinator. Bobby Engram coaches receivers in Washington, while NaVorro Bowman coaches linebackers for the Los Angeles Chargers.23

Even Jeff Carpenter, a Penn State graduate who was a staff assistant for James Franklin in 2015, now coaches tight ends for the Chargers.24 The coaching tree demonstrates how Penn State's influence permeates the professional ranks at every level.

What Makes Penn State Different?

So what is it about Penn State that produces this consistent NFL pipeline?

First, there's the culture of development. James Franklin and his staff have built a program that emphasizes technique, strength and conditioning, and NFL-style schemes. Players aren't just recruited for their talent—they're developed over three to four years into pro-ready prospects.

Second, Penn State's position coaching is elite. The tight end production speaks for itself, but the defensive backs, linebackers, and defensive linemen consistently arrive in the NFL well-coached and fundamentally sound.

Third, the competition level matters. Playing in the Big Ten means facing NFL-caliber talent every week. Penn State players are battle-tested against teams like Ohio State, Michigan, and Wisconsin, which prepares them for the speed and physicality of professional football.

Finally, there's the tradition factor. When recruits see Saquon Barkley, Micah Parsons, and others thriving in the NFL, it validates Penn State as a pathway to the pros. That creates a virtuous cycle where top recruits choose Penn State specifically because of its NFL track record.

Looking Ahead

Penn State's 2025 roster suggests the pipeline won't slow down anytime soon. With several more potential first-round talents developing in State College, the 2026 and 2027 NFL Drafts could feature even more Nittany Lions.

The combination of Franklin's recruiting prowess, elite position coaching, and a proven track record of NFL development has made Penn State one of the nation's most reliable NFL factories. When teams draft a Penn State player, they're getting someone who's been prepared for the professional level—technically sound, physically developed, and mentally ready for the jump.

For NFL teams looking for safe bets in the draft, the blue and white of Penn State has become a reliable indicator of pro-ready talent. And for college football fans, it's further proof that Happy Valley is producing some of the nation's best football players, year after year after year.

SOURCES

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