Kalen King Bio
Kalen Daron King is an American professional football cornerback for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL). Born on January 28, 2003, in Detroit, Michigan, he grew up playing football and attended Cass Technical High School, becoming a four-star recruit. King played college football for the Penn State Nittany Lions, where he was known for his impressive skills on the field. He declared for the 2024 NFL draft and was selected in the seventh round, thus beginning his professional career.
Early Life and Background
Kalen Daron King was born on January 28, 2003, in Detroit, Michigan. He grew up in the city and attended Cass Technical High School, where he developed as a football player and built the foundation for his future in the sport.
King was rated as a four-star recruit during his high school career. His play in the secondary drew attention from several major college football programs, and he ultimately committed to play college football at Penn State over scholarship offers from Michigan, Wisconsin, and Michigan State.
His twin brother, Kobe, also pursued football and played at Penn State as a linebacker before being drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in 2025, giving the King family a notable presence at the highest level of the sport.
Path to Professional Football
King joined the Penn State Nittany Lions as an early enrollee in January 2021, getting a head start on his college development. As a freshman, he appeared in 13 games and recorded 23 tackles, one tackle for loss, five passes broken up, and one forced fumble, showing early signs of his coverage ability.
He entered the 2022 season as a starter at cornerback and continued to grow into one of the steadier defensive backs in the Penn State secondary. His play helped him earn recognition within the Big Ten Conference across multiple seasons.
King declared for the 2024 NFL draft following the 2023 season, choosing to turn professional after his collegiate career at Penn State.
Kalen King Career
Early Career (2021-2023)
King’s college career at Penn State began as an early enrollee in January 2021. During his freshman season, he appeared in 13 games and contributed 23 tackles, one tackle for loss, five passes broken up, and one forced fumble while adjusting to the speed of the collegiate level.
He became a starter at cornerback entering the 2022 season and earned third-team All-Big Ten recognition that year. In 2023, he was named second-team All-Big Ten, establishing himself as one of the conference’s most consistent defensive backs before declaring for the 2024 NFL draft.
Green Bay Packers Era (2024-2025)
King was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the seventh round with the 255th overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft. He signed his rookie contract on May 3, 2024, and began his professional career with the organization.
On August 27, 2024, King was released by the Packers and subsequently re-signed to the practice squad. On December 5, 2024, he was elevated to the gameday roster for Week 14, earning his first active opportunity with the team. He signed a reserve/future contract with Green Bay on January 13, 2025, and was released by the Packers as part of final roster cuts on August 26, 2025.
Carolina Panthers Era (2025)
On August 27, 2025, King was signed to the Carolina Panthers’ practice squad after his release from Green Bay. He was promoted to the active roster on November 29, 2025, but was waived three days later as the team adjusted its roster.
On December 4, 2025, King was re-signed to the Panthers’ practice squad, continuing his path in the league as a developmental cornerback.
Arizona Cardinals Era (2025-Present)
On December 23, 2025, King was signed by the Arizona Cardinals off the Carolina Panthers’ practice squad. The move gave him a fresh opportunity to compete for a role in an NFL secondary.
The Cardinals added him as a depth cornerback late in the season, and he joined the organization during the closing stretch of the 2025 campaign.
Driving Style and Strengths
King built his reputation at Penn State on his coverage skills and his willingness to compete against top receivers in the Big Ten. His statistical production as a freshman and his steady play across multiple seasons pointed to a defensive back comfortable in both man and zone responsibilities.
Notable Events and Milestones
Key moments in King’s career include his seventh-round selection by the Green Bay Packers in the 2024 NFL draft, his first elevation to an NFL gameday roster in Week 14 of the 2024 season, and his midseason signing by the Arizona Cardinals in December 2025. His twin brother Kobe’s selection by the Minnesota Vikings in 2025 also marked a notable family milestone.
Kalen King Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Kalen Daron King was raised in Detroit, Michigan, where he attended Cass Technical High School. His twin brother, Kobe King, played linebacker at Penn State and was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in 2025, making the Kings one of the recent NFL families with multiple brothers in the league.
Limited public information is available about King’s broader family background or personal life beyond his twin brother and his football journey.
2025 Season Performance
King’s 2025 season began with the Green Bay Packers, where he signed a reserve/future contract in January 2025 before being released as part of final roster cuts on August 26, 2025. He quickly landed with the Carolina Panthers, joining their practice squad on August 27, 2025.
During the 2025 season, King was promoted to the Panthers’ active roster on November 29 before being waived three days later and re-signed to the practice squad on December 4. On December 23, 2025, the Arizona Cardinals signed him off the Panthers’ practice squad, giving him another opportunity to compete at the NFL level late in the year.
Across his moves between Green Bay, Carolina, and Arizona, King remained active on practice squads and short stints on active rosters, continuing his development as a young cornerback in the league.