When Jalen Kimber showed up in State College, it felt like a classic "business decision." That's not me being cynical—those were basically his words. After stops at Georgia and Florida, Kimber was looking for a finishing school. He wanted a place that could take a high-ceiling athlete who had been through the injury ringer and turn him into a pro.
He found it in the Penn State secondary.
Honestly, the journey Jalen Kimber took to get to Beaver Stadium is a wild one. We’re talking about a guy who was a 4-star recruit out of Mansfield Timberview in Texas, a kid with 4.39 speed who just couldn’t catch a break with health. He was part of that legendary Georgia defense but spent most of it watching from the sidelines with a shoulder injury. Then he goes to Florida, plays through a broken hand, and finally decides he needs one last year to prove he’s a "top-caliber" corner.
The Jalen Kimber Penn State Experiment: Was It a Success?
Most people look at the stats and see 35-37 tackles and three pass breakups. They think, "Okay, solid, but was he a star?"
The truth is more nuanced. You have to look at what Penn State lost before the 2024 season. They were replacing NFL-bound guys like Kalen King and Johnny Dixon. Coach James Franklin didn't just need a warm body; he needed a veteran who wouldn't blink in a white-out atmosphere or a late-game situation against Ohio State.
Kimber delivered exactly that. He played in all 16 games and started 15 of them. That's durability he hadn't shown earlier in his career. While he wasn't a "ball hawk"—he finished his college career with only one interception—his ability to mirror receivers and play press-man coverage was vital.
He ended up as an All-Big Ten honorable mention selection. For a one-year rental, that’s a win.
Why the 40-Yard Dash Changed Everything
If you want to know why NFL scouts kept calling even after he went undrafted, look at the Penn State Pro Day in March 2025. Kimber was famously "pissed" about not getting an invite to the NFL Combine. He took that personally.
He stepped onto the turf at Holuba Hall and clocked a 4.39-second 40-yard dash.
That number is electric. It changed the narrative from "rotational SEC guy" to "elite developmental prospect." He also posted a 33.5-inch vertical and a 10-foot-3 broad jump. He proved that the injuries hadn't sapped his twitch.
From Happy Valley to the Pros: The 2025-2026 Journey
The path hasn't been a straight line since leaving Penn State. After going unselected in the 2025 NFL Draft, Kimber has been the definition of a "journeyman" in record time. It’s a tough business, and his lack of ball production (just one collegiate INT) was likely the reason he didn't hear his name called on draft day.
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Here is how his pro career has looked so far:
- Tennessee Titans: Signed as a priority undrafted free agent in May 2025. He was reunited with Penn State teammate KJ Winston but got caught in the final roster cuts in August.
- Buffalo Bills: This was a rollercoaster. He signed with their practice squad, got released in September, re-signed in October, and then released again a week later.
- Cincinnati Bengals: This is where things got interesting. Kimber signed with the Bengals' practice squad in December 2025.
On January 5, 2026, the Bengals signed Jalen Kimber to a reserve/future contract. This basically means the team wants to keep his rights for the 2026 season and see what they can develop during the upcoming offseason.
What Most People Get Wrong About Kimber
A lot of fans think that if a guy transfers twice, he’s "failing" or "looking for a bag." With Kimber, it really felt like he was chasing a scheme. Florida's defense was a mess during his tenure there. At Georgia, he was buried under five-star recruits who are now NFL Pro Bowlers.
Penn State offered him a specific role: be the veteran anchor in a room full of talented but young corners like Zion Tracy and Elliot Washington. He wasn't there to be the face of the program; he was there to stabilize the defense.
His biggest weakness remains his "catch and tackle" style. Scouts often noted that he tends to absorb contact rather than initiating it, which can lead to giving up extra yards after the catch. But his footwork? It's elite. If a coach can teach him to be more aggressive at the point of attack, he has the speed to stay in the league for a long time.
Actionable Insights for Following Kimber's Career
If you’re a Penn State fan or just a draft nerd following his progress, here is what to watch for in 2026:
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- Monitor the Bengals' Special Teams: Kimber’s best path to a 53-man roster in Cincinnati isn't just as a corner; it's as a gunner. His 4.39 speed makes him a natural fit for kick coverage.
- Look for "Ball Skills" Improvement: In training camp, the word to look for in beat reports is "pass breakups." If Kimber starts finding the football more often, his value triples.
- Physicality in the Run Game: The Bengals need corners who can tackle. If he shows he can "strike" rather than "catch," he’ll stick.
Jalen Kimber might not have been a Nittany Lion for long, but his "business decision" to come to Penn State kept the defense afloat during a major transition. He’s now fighting for his NFL life in Cincinnati, and honestly, given how much he’s overcome already, you’d be a fool to bet against him.