Connect with us

FOOTBALL

Ex-Penn State football DB returns to Nittany Lions via transfer portal

After one year at Alabama, standout young defensive back King Mack is making his return to Penn State football.

Published

on

Penn State football
Oct 12, 2024; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back King Mack (5) brings down South Carolina Gamecocks running back Juju McDowell (0) during the second quarter at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Will McLelland-Imagn Images

Penn State football is bringing back a familiar face from the transfer portal after a short stint in the SEC.

On Sunday morning, sophomore safety King Mack announced that he was returning to the Nittany Lions after spending the 2024 season at Alabama.

“I’m back home,” Mack wrote on social media.

Mack entered the transfer portal last spring following his true freshman season with Penn State football. In his first stay with the Nittany Lions, Mack recorded three tackles and a quarterback hurry, but appeared in every game on special teams.

This fall, Mack appeared in all 13 games for the Crimson Tide. He made 14 tackles on the season before entering the portal for a second time on January 3.

Mack was the No. 6 safety in the 2023 cycle, according to 247Sports.

Penn State football transfer portal tracker

It’s been a busy few days for James Franklin and the Nittany Lions since the 2024 season came to an end at the Orange Bowl. King Mack becomes the third transfer commitment for Penn State football in as many days, following Texas A&M offensive lineman TJ Shanahan on Friday and Michigan defensive tackle Owen Wafle on Saturday.

Outgoing transfers

  • Feyisayo Oluleye, WR – Entered portal on November 13.
  • Jerry Cross, TE – Entered portal on December 2. Committed to Memphis on December 21.
  • TA Cunningham, DL – Entered portal on December 9.
  • Beau Pribula, QB – Entered portal on December 15. Committed to Missouri on December 22.
  • Jason Estrella, WR – Entered portal on December 27.

Incoming transfers

  • Kyron Hudson, WR – Entered portal from USC on December 5. Committed on December 16.
  • Enai White, DE – Entered portal from Texas A&M on December 11. Committed on December 20.
  • Devonte Ross, WR – Entered portal from Troy on December 16. Committed on December 24.
  • TJ Shanahan, OL – Entered portal from Texas A&M on December 9. Committed on January 10.
  • Owen Wafle, DL – Entered portal from Michigan on January 2. Committed on January 11.


Thank you for reading Basic Blues Nation, one of the fastest-growing outlets covering Penn State athletics. Part of the Full Ride network, we are an alumni-owned and operated, credentialed media outlet dedicated to providing you with updated and reliable insights for all your favorite Nittany Lion sports. Whether it’s Penn State football, basketball, wrestling, or anything in between, you can find it all on Basic Blues Nation!
Please follow us on our social channels, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube, and subscribe to our newsletter on Substack for breaking news and notifications. For feedback, questions, or concerns, please email us at [email protected] or direct message us on social media. 

Matt is a co-owner and Editor of Basic Blues Nation. Launched in 2022, Basic Blues Nation is one of the fastest-growing websites covering all Penn State athletics. Matt is also a credentialed member of the Penn State football beat, and is a member of the Football Writers Association of America.

Trending