Alabama transfer DB King Mack announces commitment to return to Penn State

Alabama transfer DB King Mack is back in Happy Valley after committing to transfer to Penn State on Sunday morning.

Mack officially entered the portal Friday evening, On3’s Pete Nakos reported. He appeared in all 13 games this past year at Alabama, totaling 14 tackles during that time.

Prior to his arrival in Tuscaloosa, Mack was a contributor with the Nittany Lions, where he had three tackles as a freshman in 2023 before transferring during the Spring portal window. He will have two years of eligibility remaining.

Im back home💙🤍 pic.twitter.com/ZwILYeTSJ6

— King Mack (@kingmack2004) January 12, 2025

King Mack played high school football at Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) St. Thomas Aquinas, where he was a four-star prospect. He was the No. 93 overall player from the 2023 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

Mack is the sixth addition to Penn State’s 2025 transfer class, joining defensive linemen Owen Wafle (Michigan) and Enai White (Texas A&M), interior offensive lineman T.J. Shanahan (Texas A&M) and receivers Kyron Hudson (USC) and Devonte Ross (Troy). The Nittany Lions are the 34th team in the On3 2025 Team Transfer Portal Rankings.

Mack’s decision comes as Alabama is preparing for a change on its defensive staff. The Crimson Tide are preparing to part ways with co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach Colin Hitschler, according to multiple reports. On3 and BOL’s Charlie Potter later provided additional details on who Kalen DeBoer could be targeting for the role, and he won’t have to look far to do so.

Mack is the 19th player to transfer out of Alabama after DeBoer’s first season at the helm. The Crimson Tide have five players coming in, though – headlined by former Florida EDGE Kelby Collins. He comes in as the No. 53 overall player to hit the portal this cycle, according to the On3 Industry Transfer Rankings.

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

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

Texas A&M transfer OL TJ Shanahan commits to Penn State

Former Texas A&M offensive lineman TJ Shanahan has committed to Penn State, via the NCAA Transfer Portal, per On3’s Hayes Fawcett. He spent two seasons with the Aggies.

Shanahan made 10 appearances for Texas A&M this season, including five starts. The 6-foot-4 redshirt freshman might have recorded even more starts if he hadn’t suffered an injury this season that kept him sidelined for two weeks.

In his true freshman season in 2023, Shanahan played in three games but ultimately redshirted. Shanahan will have three years of eligibility remaining.

TJ Shanahan played high school football at Westlake (FL), where he was a four-star recruit. He was the No. 170 overall player and No. 11 interior offensive lineman in the 2023 recruiting cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

Grant Grubbs and Nick Schultz contributed to this report.