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It hasn’t been easy for Jalen Kimber to find the right college football program. After four years in the SEC at two different schools, Kimber struggled to call somewhere home. For his fifth year of college ball, Kimber chose to head to Happy Valley after committing to Penn State football in January.
Kimber was a four-star cornerback out of Arlington, Texas, in 2020 when he committed to Georgia. After two redshirt seasons with the Bulldogs, he transferred to Florida and played 25 games in two seasons. Kimber entered the portal for the second time in 2023 and committed to Louisville on December 30.
Twelve days later, Kimber flipped his commitment to Penn State.
“I wanted to go to a winning environment,” Kimber said after the Nittany Lions’ practice on Tuesday. “They already had a culture established here, so I just felt like Penn State was the best fit for me, honestly.”
When Kimber was at Georgia, the Bulldogs went a combined 22-3, including a national championship in Kimber’s last year with the team — one that was cut short due to injury. At Florida, the Gators couldn’t reach a winning season and went a combined 11-14.
With one more year of eligibility after this season, Kimber is searching to be part of another championship-level team.
Winning wasn’t the only reason he chose the Nittany Lions. Kimber maintained a relationship with cornerback coach Terry Smith dating back to his high school recruitment. When Kimber entered the portal for the second time, he said his relationship with Smith and seeing the cornerback talent Penn State produced over the past couple of seasons made choosing the blue and white an easy decision.
“I had a more personal relationship with coach,” Kimber said of Smith. “Just seeing what he’s done in these past few years and producing the defensive backs that he did, I just felt like I could come in and fit right in and continue the tradition that coach has set.”
In 11 seasons at Penn State, Smith coached nine NFL corners, and with Kalen King, Johnny Dixon, and Daequan Hardy declaring for the NFL Draft, the number continues to grow. However, with those three departing, it creates an opportunity for Kimber to be a part of a defense that was one of the best in the country last season.
“That was definitely something that played a big part in [my decision],” Kimber said. “Just knowing the type of defense that Penn State had the past few years, especially last year, they had a really good defense. And especially with the three corners leaving, I just felt like this is a perfect fit.”
So far this spring, James Franklin has been impressed with the three-star transfer. Franklin noted Kimber’s experience in the SEC being beneficial to his development.
“[He’s] played a ton of football in a really good conference, and you feel that,” Franklin said. “He’s just very poised, very mature. I think he’s a guy that I’m really excited to see this summer.”
Despite having another year of eligibility, Kimber said he plans on this season being his last. With the cornerback talent Penn State has produced, most recently featured by Joey Porter Jr., Tariq Castro-Fields, John Reid, Amani Oruwariye, and now King, Dixon, and Hardy, Kimber wants to be next.
“I just want to go out there and show people what I can do,” Kimber said. “I’m just really ready to go and prove people wrong. I just want to check all the boxes and do the things that I need to do so that I can go to the next level.”
Although Kimber has his sights on the draft next year, he’s focusing on not only improving his skills but being a mentor for the younger corners as well.
“[I’m] just talking to them if they mess up a play or just telling them why they shouldn’t do what they just did,” Kimber said. “I’ve seen a lot of football, like I said, it’s my fifth year now, so I really try to help as much as I can.”
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Mitch is a junior broadcast journalism major from Johnstown, PA. He is a big Pittsburgh sports fan and in his free time he likes to listen to music, play video games, and rewatch old football games. He also loves Seinfeld, Star Wars, bucket hats, and Dua Lipa. If you want Justin Herbert propaganda or random sports content, follow him on Twitter/X @MitchCorc18 or email [email protected]
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