Since arriving at Penn State in 2021, Anthony Poindexter has put five Nittany Lions safeties in the NFL. Zakee Wheatley is on pace to be the sixth, but the rest of the safety room is a relative unknown entering the 2025 season. Fortunately, there is no shortage of talent at the position, and there is a good chance the next star emerges this year.
**Dejuan Lane (SO)**
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Dejuan Lane appeared in every game of the 2024 season and helped stabilize the secondary after KJ Winston’s season-ending injury in Week 2. He totaled 14 tackles, one interception, and three pass breakups in 16 games last year. His role in the defense is certain to expand in 2025 under new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, and he is my leading candidate to start alongside Wheatley.
**King Mack (JR)**
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Mack announced his return to Happy Valley in January after one year with Alabama. He recorded 14 tackles in 2024 for the Crimson Tide. In 2023, he appeared in every game for Penn State, primarily on special teams. Mack was the No. 6 safety in the 2023 recruiting cycle. With Jim Knowles likely looking to run a 4-2-5 defense, there is a good chance Mack will be the nickel defensive back.
**Vaboue Toure (R-FR)**
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In his second year at Penn State, Toure is expected to earn more playing time and compete for a spot in the two-deep. He played in five games last season, making six tackles and a pass breakup. Toure was a four-star recruit in the 2024 class and has a promising future in Penn State’s secondary.