How many Penn State players could go in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft?

Penn State football had multiple players go in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. It marked the first time that happened for the Nittany Lions since 2021 and the 10th time in program history. Offensive tackle Olu Fashanu went at No. 11 to New York, while end Chop Robinson went at No. 21 to Miami. In full, eight Lions went over the three-day selection process, and another few signed undrafted free-agent deals. They’ll soon be getting ready to star their time in the pros. Meanwhile, their former teammates will soon be gearing up for summer workouts ahead of preseason camp and another college season. Some of them will leave for the NFL after the 2024 slate is complete. How many could go in the first round?

According to numerous way-too-early 2025 NFL media mock drafts, the number might surprise you.

Penn State edge Abdul Carter

Junior defender Abdul Carter is the most popular Penn State player among the early predictions. Bleacher Report is highest on the All-Big Ten edge, as it has him going inside of the top 10 at No. 8. The outlet projects the Washington Commanders could hold that selection next spring.

“Carter is another Penn State prospect with linebacker and pass-rusher flexibility,” BR’s Brent Sobleski writes. “The underclassman may not be quite as explosive as Parsons and he’s making the opposite position-switch—from linebacker to edge-rusher—but he’s very much in the mold of a playmaker.

“In Carter’s first two collegiate seasons, he had 16 tackles for loss, 11 sacks, three forced fumbles and nine defended passes as an off-ball presence. His effectiveness can ratchet up this fall as a full-time edge defender.”

At Pro Football Focus, meanwhile, Max Chadwick has Carter going at No. 22 to Atlanta. It’s a landing spot USA Today echoes.

“Atlanta took a high-quantity approach to their defensive line in the 2024 NFL Draft,” Chadwick writes. “In 2025, they could add a dynamic pass rusher like Penn State’s Abdul Carter. Carter earned a 90.3 pass-rush grade as an off-ball linebacker, but he will move to the edge this season. Comparisons to Micah Parsons will be plentiful over the next year.”

Nittany Lions safety Kevin Winston Jr.

An All-Big Ten honorable mention pick in 2023, Winston Jr., could see his stock on the field soar this fall as he enters his second season as a Penn State starter at safety. He made a team-high 60 tackles a year ago and also had five pass breakups. It’s one of the reasons why PFF thinks Winston Jr., could be a first-round selection. It sends him to Los Angeles at No. 15.

“Winston is as sure of a tackler as they come, as his 2% missed tackle rate ranked second among all college football safeties,” Chadwick writes. “He also was the only FBS safety with 85.0-plus grades in coverage and run defense.”

PFF is on an island here, as no other outlet has Winston Jr., going int eh first round, let alone in the top 20. But, we’re betting that changes by the fall.

Lions defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton

Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz is the lone media mock drafter to call Penn State third-year defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton a first-round pick at this point in time. We won’t be shocked if he ends up being right. ‘DDS’ has elite size and all the tools to be an elite player at the college level. He’s been productive so far and aims for his best season yet. If he turns in a high-quality performance, it could lead him to leave school early for the pros.

“At 6-5 and 270 pounds, Dennis-Sutton puts together an impressive set of athletic tools for highly respected 49ers defensive line coach Kris Kocurek to bring along,” USA Today says. “He also would give San Francisco someone who could be a long-term fixture opposite Nick Bosa.”

Penn State quarterback Drew Allar

This will surprise some, infuriate others, and be met with a shrug by a third group. Either way, we know it’ll drive the most debate out of anything in this piece. Allar enters year two as the Penn State starting quarterback. He’ll work now under new offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki. If he can raise Allar’s level of play, The 33rd Team sees the Ohio native as a possible Day 1 selection.

“Drew Allar had a lot of success in his first full year as a starter at Penn State, throwing 25 touchdowns to just two interceptions,” Marcus Mosher writes. “But the Nittany Lions need him to deliver more in big games. If he can do that in 2024, he should be a lock first-round pick.”