2006: King established himself as one of the top cover-corners in the Big Ten during his sophomore season. Having played multiple positions as a freshman All-American in 2005, he was able to focus his multiple skills on the defense, starting every game at right cornerback. A second-team All-Big Ten selection, King improved throughout the season and played a substantial role in helping a secondary that featured four new starters thrive and improve. He recorded 30 tackles (22 solo), one interception, and six pass breakups. King was instrumental in helping the Penn State defense rank in the top 15 nationally in rushing (87.5 ypg, seventh), scoring (14.4 ppg, ninth), total defense (284.5 ypg, 15th) and pass efficiency defense (105.9 rating, 14th) and sacks (40, sixth tie) last season.

2005: Regarded as the nation's top cornerback coming out of high school, King quickly announced his presence as a difference-maker for the Nittany Lions in his first game as a true freshman. His electrifying 61-yard dash on a reverse set up Penn State's first score of the season in the opener against South Florida and laid the foundation for numerous significant contributions on offense, defense and special teams. The multi-talented King carried the ball 18 times for 227 yards, posting a superlative 12.6 average. He also had 10 receptions for 126 yards and two touchdowns and three kickoff returns for 40 yards. King accumulated 393 yards on just 31 touches for an impressive 12.7 yards per touch. At cornerback, he recorded 11 tackles (nine solo) with two pass breakups. King played on both sides of the ball during the initial seven games, but when Williams suffered a season-ending injury at Michigan, King focused on offense the remainder of the year.

High School: Rated the nation's top cornerback and the top player in Pennsylvania, King led Gateway HS to an 11-2 mark in his senior season and the Western Pennsylvania District 7 Class AAAA title game. He rushed for 1,902 yards and 33 touchdowns on 208 attempts. King also had nine receptions for 180 yards and three scores. Defensively, he collected 25 tackles and an interception. As a junior, King rushed for 1,763 yards and 29 touchdowns. For his career, he carried the ball 544 times for 4,519 yards, the third-highest total in District 7 Class AAAA history, and scored 59 touchdowns. Nationally recognized, King played in the U.S. Army All-America Bowl, was the 2004 Gatorade Pennsylvania Player-of-the-Year and a first-team all-state selection by numerous media outlets. King also was an accomplished sprinter on the track and field team for two years.

PERSONAL: Full name is Justin Thomas King. His mother's name is Alison. His stepfather, Terry Smith, was a standout wide receiver at Penn State from 1988-91 and is the head football coach and athletic director at Gateway HS. King has a younger sister, Haley. He is majoring in letters, arts and sciences and is on schedule to graduate in December, three years after enrolling. Born May 11, 1987 in Pittsburgh.