UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Detroit, Michigan, has become a hotbed for professional level talent and had more rostered NFL players than any other city in the country, according to the league officials. Junior cornerback Kalen King is a product of the Motor City, which is where he learned how to play with his signature edge.
King started to establish his distinct style of play as early as nine years-old when he battled with other top talents like former youth teammate Antonio Gates, Jr in practice. Playing against the best players in Detroit throughout his life and at Cass Technical High School gave King the competitive nature to thrive at the collegiate level.
King has elevated himself from a nationally respected four-star prospect to one of the best cornerbacks in the country over the last three years. Despite his All-American status, King has not forgotten his humble beginnings and still plays the same infectious energy he played with on the football fields in Detroit.
"Football has taken me places where I never would have thought," King said. "I'm just enjoying every moment with every individual I can. Whether that be on offense or defense, older than me, younger than me, I'm just trying to build relationships and just make them last because this is not gonna last forever. At some point I will have to leave this place so I just want to leave knowing that I made the right decision and enjoyed it the whole time through."
The next step in King's football journey is to Columbus, Ohio, where King and his talented group of defensive backs will go toe-to-toe with some of the most dynamic playmakers in the nation.
King knows his battles in Detroit have prepared him for games like the one set for Saturday.
"In order for me to go where I want to go, I feel like I have to stand up to that challenge and show the world what I can do as well so I'm definitely looking forward to this opportunity," King said.
King has battled the Buckeyes before and knows the challenge of facing players like Marvin Harrison, Jr is staring him down. The veteran cornerback has multiple games of experience against Ohio State under his belt and is looking forward to competing against the best in a marquee matchup.
"They have arguably the best wide receivers in the country and we have arguably the best defensive back group in the country," King said. "I already know we're going to get opportunities. They're going to try us, that's just the name of the game. It's been that way forever since I've been here. We know they feel like they have confidence in themselves, we have confidence in us, so we know it's a big task at hand and we're approaching it that way."
King has found success throughout his career in Happy Valley by keeping his mentality and approach consistent. It's been a constant learning experience for King who's tapped into the knowledge of Pittsburgh Steeler Joey Porter Jr and current Nittany Lion corners Johnny Dixon and Daequan Hardy.
Sticking to proper technique and managing the emotions of a highly contentious game have been pivotal for King who regarded defensive coordinator Manny Diaz as "the best defensive coordinator I've been around."
"I just gotta play my game," King said. "I'm gonna try to play as aggressive as possible while also staying in the framework of Manny [Diaz] and what he wants as a team. Also doing my job, you can be physical at the same time but not be risky so I can be physical within my job and within my frame of the play, but not taking it too overboard and just doing anything."
King plays a smothering style of man-to-man defense that makes it difficult on receivers to create separation on a route. King also plays with elite ball tracking ability and position that forces the quarterback to look elsewhere.
Watching film and studying the game extensively have become part of King's routine who's placed a stronger emphasis on "staying present minded" throughout this season. King called cornerbacks coach Terry Smith "one of the most genuine guys I've ever been around," and the pair have developed a special bond.
"Kalen [King] has done a great job preparing every week for our opponents," Smith said. "He's ready for when the action comes to him. What he puts on film is dominating guys at the line of scrimmage in our press man technique. These teams are watching and they see what the scouting report says and he verifies it."