Who will have a breakout season in 2023? PFF’s Trevor Sikkema published a list of 10 breakout candidates for the 2023 season on Thursday.

Two Penn State players were mentioned on the list. CB Kalen King and DL Chop Robinson were the two Nittany Lions who Sikkema believes should be primed for a stellar year.

King appeared in 13 games for Penn State last season and recorded 30 total tackles, 3 interceptions, and 3 tackles for loss. King should be the No. 1 corner in the Penn State secondary this season and in position to have a great year.

Most eyeballs may have been on Joey Porter Jr. in Penn State’s secondary in 2022, but King is poised to take over in Happy Valley in 2023. He started just one game in his true freshman season in 2021, but last season he started nine games. He recorded an elite 90.7 grade in coverage with 16 forced incompletions and three interceptions. He has the preseason hype to be a future first-round prospect to watch for whenever he declares for the NFL draft.

Robinson made an impact in 2022 for Penn State. He had 26 total tackles, 10 tackles for loss, and 5.5 sacks. After a standout year last season Robinson could cement himself as one of the top pass rushers in the nation according to Sikkema.

Demeioun “Chop” Robinson had a standout season as a sophomore in 2022. The 6-foot-3, 255-pound pass rusher recorded an elite 92.4 grade with 53 total pressures. His pass-rush win percentage was a very impressive 23.6%. His being a breakout candidate is less about production and more about the recognition as one of the top pass rushers in the country.