Penn State transfer safety King Mack commits to Alabama

After entering the NCAA transfer portal on May 2, former Penn State safety King Mack has decided on his next destination. Committing to Alabama as he’ll take his talents to the SEC down in Tuscaloosa ahead of the Crimson Tide’s first season under head coach Kalen DeBoer.

Mack exited from the Penn State program following just one full season with the Nittany Lions, re-opening up his recruitment after being a highly sought after high school prospect and one of the best players in the state of Florida for the 2023 recruiting class.

In his lone season in Happy Valley, Mack served primarily as a reserve safety and a contributor on special teams. But did appear in all 13 games of the Nittany Lions’ 10-win season. Recording three tackles and one quarterback hurry in the first season of college football.

Mack played high school football at St. Thomas Aquinas in Fort Lauderdale (FL) where he was a four-star prospect. Ranked the No. 93 overall recruit and the No. 8 safety in the 2023 cycle, according to On3’s Industry Rankings, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

St. Thomas Aquinas won three straight state titles during Mack’s time with the team, also individually earning All-State recognition and taking home 3M Defensive Player of the Year honors twice after posting 127 tackles, eight interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), five forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries in his upperclassman high school seasons.

Alabama’s transfer portal additions this offseason recently exceeded 10 players, with DeBoer also recently sharing what he looks for when recruiting players on the Bussin’ with the Boys podcast.

“Toughness is always going to be something that I think is just critical, it doesn’t matter where you’re at,” DeBoer said. “I think the game was meant to be played that way. The championship teams have that mental toughness, that physical toughness that you have to have.”

“I think there’s also the discipline, accountability, along with just personality that kind of like a wide-eyed, just excited to learn, excited to grow,” DeBoer added. “Just feel like they haven’t arrived and that there’s not a ceiling that they’re looking at, and they’re far from it if they think there is. So it’s just a matter of growth mindset and guys who want to come in here and be a part of something, not just it’s all about me.”

Mack likely checks all those boxes for DeBoer and the Crimson Tide, joining the program with three seasons of eligibility remaining in his collegiate career.

To keep up with the latest players on the move, check out On3’s Transfer Portal wire.

The On3 Transfer Portal Instagram account and Twitter account are excellent resources to stay up to date with the latest moves.