After one season in Happy Valley, the man known as “AK” will move on to the NFL.

The Atlanta Falcons selected Arnold Ebiketie No. 38 overall in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Following Jahan Dotson, Ebiketie is now the second Nittany Lion to enter the NFL this weekend.

The Silver Springs, Maryland native played only one season with the Nittany Lions, but his impact was enormous. In 12 games, he recorded career-high marks in tackles (62), tackles for loss (18), and sacks (9.5). He also blocked a pair of kicks and forced two fumbles.

Ebiketie’s 18 tackles for a loss led the entire Big Ten conference. Following the 2021 season, he earned defensive first-team All-Big Ten honors, alongside fellow draftee Jaquan Brisker.

Before transferring to Penn State in 2020, Ebiketie was a playmaker on Temple University’s defensive line, as well. Over three seasons and 16 games, Ebiketie amassed 58 tackles (including 10.5 for a loss), six sacks, and three forced fumbles (including one he recovered for a touchdown).

Through the offseason, Ebiketie had ample opportunities to showcase his physical skill. Earning invites to the 2022 Senior Bowl and the NFL Scouting Combine, Ebiketie’s gifts helped him stand out when compared to his fellow defensive linemen. His bench press, broad jump, and vertical jump measurements at the Combine placed top five at his position; his 4.65-second 40-yard dash time at Penn State’s Pro Day would have landed in the top 10 of measurements at the Combine.

Ebiketie will now compete in the same division as a handful of former Penn State standouts, including Yetur Gross-Matos and Chris Godwin.