Terry Smith’s cornerbacks room at Penn State has become a defining asset for the program. Since 2014 he’s built a pipeline that develops three- and four-star recruits into NFL-caliber playmakers, drawing talent from across Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Connecticut, California and Pennsylvania. A.J. Harris’s Georgia transfer signals the room’s pull and the value of Smith’s development-first approach. The current top six corners span across SEC and ACC footprints, with Audavion Collins and Jalen Kimber adding SEC experience to the mix. Jim Knowles has praised the unit’s playmaking depth and culture, underscoring that the room is a real strength of PSU’s defense. Penn State’s success in drafting corners—Joey Porter Jr., Daequan Hardy and Kalen King among the recent names—illustrates Smith’s enduring impact and the program’s appeal to elite cornerbacks. If Harris hits a high ceiling, PSU could produce one of the league’s premier defensive back corridors for years to come, a development that also informs fantasy and betting angles around PSU’s defensive upside this season.

Jalen Kimber, a former cornerback from Penn State, has officially signed with the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent following the 2025 NFL Draft. Kimber's collegiate journey included stints at the Florida Gators and the Georgia Bulldogs, where he won a national title in 2021. In his sole season with Penn State, he showcased his abilities by playing in all 16 games and contributing 37 tackles, playing a crucial role in their run through the Big Ten championship and the College Football Playoff.

This year, Penn State saw five players selected in the NFL Draft, including notable first-round picks Abdul Carter and Tyler Warren. In addition to Kimber, other undrafted free agents from Penn State making their way to the NFL include wide receiver Julian Fleming with the Green Bay Packers and offensive lineman Sal Wormley with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The Denver Broncos are exploring potential late-round draft options and met with Penn State cornerback Jalen Kimber at the East-West Shrine Bowl. Kimber, a transfer from Georgia and Florida, highlighted his positive interactions with multiple NFL teams, including the Broncos. Over five college seasons, he compiled 76 tackles, nine pass breakups, one interception, and a forced fumble across 45 games, showcasing his defensive capabilities. While Kimber is seen as a late-round pick or undrafted free agent, he could add depth and compete for a special teams role.