Penn State linebacker Kobe King was named to the preseason waiting list for the Dick Butkus Award, which recognizes the best linebacker in college football. King, a redshirt junior, returns as the Nittany Lions’ starting middle linebacker.

King started 11 games last season and recorded 59 tackles (second on the team) and 1.5 sacks. He also recovered a fumble. King earned honorable mention All-Big Ten honors and was the conference’s best linebacker with a run defense grade of 85.3, according to Pro Football Focus. King made 27 solo tackles on running plays, third on the team.

King leads a Penn State linebacker staff that went through significant changes in the offseason. One starter, Curtis Jacobs, signed a free-agent contract with the Kansas City Chiefs, and another switched positions. Abdul Carter, a first-team All-Big Ten linebacker in 2023, will play defensive end for the Nittany Lions this season.

King Twin brother Kalena cornerback, was drafted in the seventh round by the Green Bay Packers.

Penn State linebackers have won two Butkus Awards: LaVar Arrington in 1999 and Paul Posluszny in 2005. Micah Parsons was Penn State’s last finalist for the award in 2019.

Twelve Penn State players have been named to the college football season watch lists:

Penn State opens the 2024 season on August 31 at West Virginia. Kickoff is scheduled for noon ET on FOX.

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Penn State on SI is the go-to source for Penn State news, opinion and perspective on the SI.com network. Editor Mark Wogenrich has covered Penn State for more than 20 years, following three coaching teams, three Big Ten titles and a catalog of great stories. Follow him on X (or Twitter) @MarkWogenrich.