Following Penn State’s College Football Playoff (CFP) semifinal loss to Notre Dame, changes have been fast and furious. For instance, on offense, the receiving corps will look a lot different. Additionally, despite the return of both star running backs Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen, they will be led by a new running back coach. On the other side of the ball, there will be a new defensive coordinator in Happy Valley. With Jim Knowles taking the reins of the defense, there are more questions in the defensive backfield than the luxuries that Tom Allen had last season. To help at the safety position, head coach James Franklin and Knowles will allow the Return of the Mack at Penn State. Safety King Mack returns to Happy Valley as a transfer from Alabama.
Penn State’s Portal Prowess
Penn State is a program that has not traditionally participated much in the transfer portal. Franklin has mentioned numerous times that Penn State has been cautious in utilizing the portal for fear of upsetting the culture in the locker room. However, that has changed a bit recently. Last season, lineman Nolan Rucci, who transferred from Wisconsin, did a great job filling in for injured right tackle Anthony Donkoh. Through that, he cemented a key role on the line for this upcoming season. More importantly, Rucci showed that the transfer portal can work for Penn State.
Mack is not the only player that joins Penn State through the portal for this upcoming season. He joins Owen Wafle (defensive lineman from Michigan) and Enai White (edge from Texas A&M) on the defensive side of the ball. On offense, TJ Shanahan (offensive lineman from Texas A&M), Devonte Ross (receiver from Troy), and Kyron Hudson (receiver from USC) will join the squad. The increased willingness to take on transferees shows the push for Penn State to improve on last season’s semifinal performance.
Return of the Mack at Penn State
By transferring to Penn State, King Mack returns to Happy Valley. Mack started his collegiate career with the Nittany Lions. In 2023, he appeared in all 13 games, primarily on special teams. He produced three tackles. However, Mack transferred to Alabama as a post-spring transfer. With the Crimson Tide in 2024, Mack produced 14 tackles. He was not able to crack the regular rotation on defense.
After the one-year hiatus in Tuscaloosa, Mack now returns to Penn State looking to maximize his remaining two years of eligibility. He comes back to play for Co-Defensive Coordinator/Safety Coach Anthony Poindexter. Poindexter has developed strong safeties at Penn State, and Mack will look to continue the tradition of players like Ji’Ayir Brown, KJ Winston, and Jaylen Reed.
Fit for a King
What is most important for both Penn State and Mack is where he will fit in the defensive rotation. Exiting from last season’s safety rotation, a position of strength, are Winston and Reed, who are both preparing for the NFL Draft. Returning safety Zakee Wheatley should have one of the starting safety spots locked down. Beyond that, Mack joins a relatively young but well-regarded safety room.
When Winston was lost to a long-term injury last season, Reed and Wheatley stepped up to take on leadership roles. Also stepping up into a key backup role was Dejuan Lane. He enters this offseason’s competition for playing time with a leg-up given last year’s valuable experience with the team. However, this advantage will be somewhat muted with Knowles coming in with a fresh perspective as the new defensive coordinator.
With the Return of the Mack at Penn State, opportunities abound. Mack can make an immediate impact. He has been with Penn State, and Franklin and Poindexter, before. Mack also brings experience from an SEC program. This will all help him as he looks to quickly establish himself as a valuable contributor, following in the transfer portal blueprint of success from Rucci last season.
Main Image: Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Sports
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