Are there Lord of the Rings aficionados out there? Sunday marks “The Return of the King” in Happy Valley, which continues Penn State’s strong streak in the transfer portal. Former Alabama safety King Mack revealed his commitment to the Nittany Lions on social media. He played his freshman season at Penn State in 2023 before moving to Tuscaloosa during spring workouts. The Fort Lauderdale, Florida native re-entered the transfer portal at the start of January.
Penn State has now reintroduced Mack into the lineup at a crucial safety position. Star veteran Jaylen Reed has exhausted his eligibility, while bright junior Kevin Winston Jr. has declared for the NFL Draft following a season-ending injury this year. Anthony Poindexter, the safeties coach, will bring back starting Zakee Wheatley and Mack in 2025, while promising freshman Dejuan Lane burnt his redshirt at the position this season.
Mack played 13 games for Penn State as a freshman, largely on special teams, and recorded three tackles. He was a highly rated young star prior to his transfer, but he was once again limited to special teams at Alabama, with only seven tackles in 2024. James Franklin is often adamant about not allowing transfer portal entrants to return to the program; he emphasizes complete dedication to the team regardless of the circumstances. However, Mack did not burn any bridges on his way out last year, so Penn State was clearly comfortable bringing back a player in a key position.
Penn State and Franklin have been on a transfer portal tear since their loss in the Orange Bowl at the end of the 2024 season. TJ Shannahan, a transfer offensive lineman from Texas A&M, joined the Lions on Friday. Owen Wafle, a Michigan defensive lineman, officially committed on Saturday. And Penn State is probably not done adding after Mack.
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