Safety King Mack Transferring Back to Penn State After Year at Alabama

King Mack is set to return to Penn State. A year after leaving for Alabama, the Nittany Lions’ former rising star safety has announced his decision to transfer back to the program that introduced him to college football.

A former four-star prospect out of St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the 5-foot-10, 206-pound Mack was one of five true Nittany Lion freshmen who burned their redshirts in 2023. He was expected to play an integral role on Penn State’s defense this past season, but made a late transfer to the Crimson Tide in May.

Mack now returns to the Nittany Lions after playing all 13 games, not starting any, in one year at Alabama. He has 17 tackles across 26 games in his career.

He has two years of eligibility remaining.

With starting safeties Kevin Winston Jr. and Jaylen Reed entering the NFL Draft, Mack should be heavily in the mix to earn a spot in the starting lineup beside Zakee Wheatley next season. Barring any other additions at the position, Wheatley and Mack should lead a room with a ton of young depth.

Mack is Penn State’s third transfer addition since a 27-24 loss to Notre Dame Thursday’s Orange Bowl. Former Texas A&M offensive lineman TJ Shanahan Jr. announced his commitment on Friday and former Michigan defensive lineman Owen Wafle made his pledge on Saturday.

The Nittany Lions have also picked up former USC wide receiver Kyron Hudson, former Troy receiver Devonte Ross and former Texas A&M defensive end Enai White from the transfer portal since the end of the regular season.