Where did Penn State standouts land in midseason 2025 NFL Draft position rankings from ESPN’s Mel Kiper?
The Penn State football program boasts a proud NFL draft history. Producing nearly 400 total picks overall, including with 42 first-round selections, the Nittany Lions annually warrant long looks from league talent evaluators, and this current unbeaten squad features several intriguing professional prospects.
On Thursday, longtime ESPN NFL drat analyst Mel Kiper published a midseason position-by-position breakdown of potential 2025 NFL Draft talent. This update included top-10 rankings at each spot, with seven Penn State standouts mentioned.
Along with that positional perspective, Kiper revealed his midseason Top 25 “Big Board”. The Nittany Lions are represented on that list by edge rusher Abdul Carter (No. 3) and tight end Tyler Warren (No. 22). Let’s take a closer look at each Nittany Lion spotlighted in this October forecast…
Junior Abdul Carter – No. 1 edge rusher
A former Freshman All-American and 2023 first-team All-Big Ten selection at linebacker, Carter converted to defensive end this offseason. His impact has elevated in Big Ten action, evidenced by seven tackles for loss and three sacks with two pass breakups and a forced fumble through three conference matchups. He ranks second among Big Ten edge rushers in Pro Football Focus pass rush grades (85.0) with 20 pressures.
Carter was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week following a Sept. 28 victory over Illinois (two sacks, four TFL, seven total tackles, eight pressures, pass breakup and a forced fumble). For his career, he owns 25.5 tackles for loss and 15 sacks.
During the last three drafts, the average selection spot for the first edge rusher was No. 6 overall. Penn State has not placed a defender inside the top 10 since 2000.
Senior Tyler Warren – No. 1 tight end
Warren is coming off a remarkable 17-reception, 224-yard performance at USC. He became only the second Big Ten tight end ever to reach 200 receiving yards in a single game (the first since 1982), while the 17 catches are a Penn State record and tied the all-time FBS high mark among tight ends.
Halfway through the regular season, Warren owns career highs in catches (40), receiving yards (513) and he’s accounted for six touchdowns (four receiving, one rushing, one passing). Standing 6-foot-6, 260 pounds, he recorded five receptions of 20-plus yards at USC, and he owns at least one catch of 14-plus yards in 12 straight games.
During the last three drafts, the average selection spot for the first tight was No. 31 overall. Penn State produced three second-round tight ends since 2018 but Kyle Brady (No. 9 in 1995) is the last Nittany Lion to land in Round 1 at this position.
Junior KJ Winston – No. 3 safety
Winston opened 2024 with Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week after Game 1, totaling 12 tackles and a forced fumble. However, he was sidelined “long term” after exiting a Week 2 win over Bowling Green. When asked about Winston’s status again this week, Franklin reiterated it’s a long-term situation and focus is currently on getting him back to full health. There has been no public declaration from Franklin regarding Winston’s potential to return for more game action this season.
Winston stepped up as a starter last season and led Penn State with 61 tackles, adding five pass breakups, two fumble recoveries and an interception. PFF ranked him second among safeties in tackling consistency and he earned that outlet’s third-best grade at the position for run defense.
During the last three drafts, the average selection spot for the third safety was No. 53 overall (Round 2).
Senior Jaylen Reed – No. 4 safety
Reed’s role for the Nittany Lions defense became increasingly important without Winston available. He leads all defenders with an 83-percent snap share and didn’t miss a single play during Big Ten wins over Illinois and USC. He has thrived in Penn State’s “Lion”/nickel hybrid role at the second level when given opportunities, but those have become more rare with PSU largely keeping him back deep in Winston’s absence.
Reed leads the Nittany Lions with 39 tackles (three for loss) while collecting two pass breakups, 1.5 sacks, a QB hurry, an interception, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. PFF places him atop Penn State’s active defensive backs for run defense grade (84.8) and pass rush grade (91.1).
During the last three drafts, the average selection spot for the fourth safety was No. 67 overall (Round 3).
Junior Drew Allar – No. 6 quarterback
Although Allar’s average depth of target has jumped (up t0 9.8 yards from 8 in 2023), his completion percentage has dramatically improved, rising from 60 to 71 percent through six games. Although he averaged only about 21 pass attempts through five games, he threw 43 times at USC and still sustained 70-percent completion. According to ESPN, Allar’s QB rating (86.8) ranks seventh nationally. He ranked 27th on that list last season (72.7). Allar owns 40 career touchdown tosses and six interceptions.
Allar has also become a more athletic presence at QB after shedding some weight last offseason. He has produced eight runs of 10-plus yards after totaling 11 such runs in 13 games last year. Allar has picked up 15 first downs with his feet, while avoiding sacks and extending pass plays with greater frequency, too.
During the last three drafts, the average selection spot for the sixth quarterback was No. 94 overall (Round 3). The variation really stands out here though, as the No. 6 quarterback went 12th overall in 2024 but fell outside of the top 120 in 2023 and 2022.
Junior Nick Singleton – No. 8 running back
Singleton missed a game (Oct. 5 versus UCLA) for the only time his three-year career, but returned at USC and scored a late game-tying touchdown. He leads the Nittany Lions with six touchdowns scored (three rushing, three receiving), and is averaging 6.9 yards per carry this season (up from 4.3 yards in 2023).
The 2022 Big Ten Freshman of the Year has flashed his versatility by securing a reception for at least 13 yards in each of his last eight games. During this span, he is averaging 16.7 yards per reception with four touchdowns. Singleton owns three runs of 40-plus this fall.
During the last three drafts, the average selection spot for the eighth running back was No. 122 overall (Round 4).
Junior Zane Durant – No. 9 defensive tackle
Durant is among Penn State’s top breakouts in his second season as a starter, leading all Nittany Lions defenders in cumulative Pro Football Focus grades (87.0). He ranks among the Big Ten’s top five interior defensive lineman for pressures and trails only Carter on the Nittany Lions’ tackles for loss leaderboard (5.5).
Durant already set a career high with 2.5 sacks, and he’s been credited for opening things up for Penn State’s edge rushers with his interior play. Routinely referred to as “undersized”, the 6-foot-1 lineman is now standing 288 pounds (he was 260 pounds on Signing Day), Durant presents a blend of power and speed that has proven difficult for offensive linemen to counter.
During the last three drafts, the average selection spot for the ninth defensive tackle was No. 117 overall (Round 4).
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Penn State, ranked third nationally, will continue its 2024 season Saturday night at Wisconsin. The 2025 NFL Draft occurs April 24-26 in Green Bay, Wis.
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