With Penn State losing multiple players in the transfer portal, some think not every player made the right decision. Whether it was due to players transferring down or having a better chance to play next season, many fit that mold.
Few Penn State defensive players have the experience that safety King Mack does. In just three seasons, the former highly regarded recruit transferred three times, searching for stability and a long-term role in a secondary that fit his skill set.
After beginning his career in Happy Valley as a freshman, Mack transferred to Alabama ahead of the 2024 season, hoping to find his footing within one of college football’s elite programs. That stay was short-lived, as he returned to Penn State as a junior in 2025, where he finally carved out consistent playing time.
With the Nittany Lions last season, Mack became a decent player. However, it always felt like there was more he could’ve done, perhaps part of the reason why he decided to leave, if Matt Campbell didn’t think he could get more out of him.
Despite better production, Mack once again entered the transfer portal this year, this time committing to NC State. While the move offers a new chance, FanSided’s Sydney Ciano believes it may not have been the right decision. It’s tough to disagree when thinking about how much better PSU is than NC State,
“Safety King Mack has had quite a journey at the collegiate level. He was with the Nittany Lions as a true freshman, transferred to Alabama for his sophomore season in 2024, then came back to Happy Valley as a junior. With Penn State in 2025, Mack logged 58 tackles, three passes defensed, one tackle for loss, one interception, and a half-sack.
“What makes his decision to transfer questionable is how Campbell's safety room turned out following Transfer Portal additions. It's not a weak group as Marcus Neal Jr. and Jamison Patton followed their head coach over from Iowa State,” she wrote.
When Mack made his decision, the assumption might have been that Penn State’s secondary wouldn’t offer an easy path to a featured role. However, the Nittany Lions’ aggressive portal activity quickly changed that outlook.