Tennessee football has already dipped into the transfer portal to land two defensive backs in safety Qua Moss from Kansas State and cornerback Kayin Lee from Auburn. However, with Moss likely fitting the STAR role more than safety, the Vols are still tasked with adding a true safety through the portal.
One of the potential targets from Penn State, King Mack, is now off the board, though. Mack was never reported to have visited the Vols, but he was tied to UT as ‘a school to watch’ right after the portal opened by Pete Nakos of On3.
Now, Mack has signed with NC State and will be headed to the ACC instead of reuniting with his Penn State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles and safety coach Anthony Poindexter in Knoxville.
BREAKING: Penn State transfer safety King Mack has signed with NC State, @PeteNakos reports🐺https://t.co/kSYG7dYADj pic.twitter.com/Emf4RFllY3
— Transfer Portal (@TransferPortal) January 8, 2026
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Mack just finished his junior season with a career-high 58 tackles, three passes deflected, half a sack and an interception. His pick was against future Heisman Trophy winner and Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, as well.
He has had a unique path to this point. While his choice to join the Wolfpack will be his third school in four years, he’s entered the transfer portal in every season. The safety, a former top-100 recruit via 247, began his career at Penn State. However, after one year, he transferred to Alabama to play for Kalen DeBoer in his first year with the Tide.
After the lone year with Alabama, in which he played at Neyland Stadium in a loss to UT, he went back to play for the Nittany Lions. Now, he’ll have one year of eligibility remaining with NC State.
The top safety to watch for Tennessee seems to be Lyrik Rawls from Kansas. The hard-hitting safety just completed a trip to Knoxville.
