Penn State football safety KJ Winston has declared for the NFL Draft. Winston missed most of the 2024 season with a long-term injury but was a top draft prospect before his injury. He will miss the College Football Playoff.

“To Penn State Nation, thank you for making my time here special. Wearing the blue and white has been one of the greatest honors of my life, and I’ll always carry the pride of being a Nittany Lion,” Winston wrote in an Instagram post.

Through his two games in the 2024 season, Winston had 13 tackles and a forced fumble. The junior has notched 90 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, six passes defended, and an interception through 28 appearances and 15 starts.

Winston became the first Nittany Lion to declare for the draft, though other Nittany Lions have entered the transfer portal. Both defensive lineman TA Cunningham and tight end Jerry Cross have announced their intentions to find new programs.