Former Penn State Safety King Mack Transfers to Alabama

© Dan Rainville / USA TODAY NETWORK

After losing the likes of Terrion Arnold and Kool-Aid McKinstry to the NFL Draft and Caleb Downs and Tony Mitchell to the transfer portal, Alabama was in dire need of help in its secondary. That help came Friday in the form of a commitment from former Penn State safety King Mack.

Coach Kalen DeBoer emphasized bolstering the secondary as Mack becomes the fifth defensive back to join Alabama this off-season through the transfer portal, joining Domani Jackson, Keon Sabb, Kameron Howard and DeShawn Jones.

Who is King Mack?

Mack is a Florida native who played his high school ball at St. Thomas Aquinas and was a top-100 prospect entering the collegiate ranks. According to 247Sports, Mack was the No. 6 safety and No. 86 overall prospect in the 2023 recruiting class and the No. 4 safety and No. 57 player overall available in the transfer portal.

During his time at Penn State, King played in 13 games predominately on special teams. Mack also recorded 3 tackles and 1 quarterback hurry during the 70 defensive snaps he played.

King Mack stands at 5-foot-10 and weighs 188 pounds.

Scouting King Mack

Mack is still a work in progress, but his upside is tremendous. He has great instincts in the box, good power, strong hands, can anticipate where the ball is going, plays all over the field and makes plays on the ball in both the running and passing games. King also possesses elite speed clocking a time of 10.64 in the 100-meter dash. Mack not only utilizes that speed in defending the pass but also in rushing the passer and defending the run.

Mack comes into Tuscaloosa with 3 years left of eligibility.

Impact on Alabama

Alabama lost six safeties this off-season with Caleb Downs, Kristian Story, Jake Pope, Peyton Woodward and Tony Mitchell transferring and Jaylen Key entering the draft. King Mack coming to Tuscaloosa provides some much-needed depth at the position. While Malachi Moore and Keon Sabb are the projected starting safeties, Mack should be able to carve out a spot on the depth chart right behind them.

How Soon Will King Mack Contribute?

King will be an immediate contributor to the Crimson Tide. With the lack of returning depth, Mack should be a role-player on defense and his tremendous speed could make him a vital asset on special teams. Look for Mack to be a rotational player in the secondary and as a punt returner on special teams this fall.