Penn State defensive back King Mack enters NCAA transfer portal

Penn State safety King Mack has entered the NCAA transfer portal, according to On3’s Pete Nakos.

Mack exits from the Nittany Lions program after spending just one season with the team, appearing in all 13 games last year in his true freshman season where he registered three tackles and one quarterback hurry. Primarily serving as a special teams contributor and a reserve safety for Penn State.

He was a highly touted high school prospect, regarded as one of the best defensive backs in the nation after helping lead his high school team to three straight state championship wins. Named an All-State player and the 3M Defensive Player of the Year twice in high school 127 tackles, eight interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), five forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries in his final two prep seasons.

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.

Mack enters the transfer portal with three seasons of eligibility remaining, as the Miami native will now look for a new program to call home for the remainder of his college 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.

Running back David Kency also enters portal

Mack and running back Davis Kency represent the seventh and eighth players to enter the transfer portal this offseason for the Nittany Lions. With Kency also departing from Happy Valley following just one year with the program.

Kency walked on at the Penn State program ahead of the 2023 season, redshirting after not appearing in any games last season. He did have an impressive high school career at Archbishop Shaw High School in Marrero, Louisiana where he was a two-time captain and all-district selection in football. Rushing for 1,640 rushing yards and 25 touchdowns in his prep career.

“When I first got here, I thought I was going to be like third string,” Kency told Blue-White Illustrated . “Then when I got here I saw how talented the other guys are and saw how much harder I needed to work to improve my game. I have to get better at blocking, I have to get better at changing direction and I have to get better at catching.”