Former Penn State safety King Mack is returning to the Lions via the NCAA transfer portal
Former Penn State safety King Mack is returning to the Nittany Lions via the same method he used to leave the team a year ago: The NCAA transfer portal. The Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., native spent his first collegiate season in State College. Then, seeking more playing time, he moved on to the Crimson Tide. Mack did not crack the SEC team’s two deep, though, and played mostly special teams during his one season in Tuscaloosa. He racked up 14 tackles in 2024. Now, he’s coming back to head coach James Franklin’s program. He announced the news Sunday via social media.
Mack was a four-star recruit in the On3 Industry Rankings in the Class of 2023. He ranked No. 93 overall and was listed as the No. 8 safety. On3’s Transfer Portal industry rankings call him the No. 82 player nationally and No. 8 safety.
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How will Mack fit in at Penn State in 2025?
At the very least, Penn State is getting back a player who can be utilized on all four special teams units. He took 147 special teams snaps for Alabama in 2024, per PFF, and was the Crimson Tide’s highest-rated specialist, according to the same outlet. As a freshman, he played 108 special teams snaps in blue and white.
King is not coming back to the Lions with a goal of only playing on kick and punt units, of course. The Lions must replace starting safety Jaylen Reed this year, and Mack undoubtedly wants to be the guy to do so. Zakee Wheatley is penned into his first-team spot. But, a good competition will take place in spring practice and preseason camp to determine who earns the first-team spot beside him. Others who will be in the mix to either start or at least earn playing time as the roster currently stands include sophomore Dejuan Lane, redshirt sophomore Lamont Payne Jr., redshirt freshman Vaboue Toure. Redshirt senior+ Tyrece Mills could also return for a final season. It’s not yet clear if he will do so. The Lions also signed three-star Pa., safety Braswell Thomas in the Class of 2025. He will arrive on campus later this year.
