Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1472993
1 0 0 A U G U S T 2 0 2 2 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M N ot long after Fort Lauderdale safety p ros p e c t Co n ra d H u ssey a n - nounced in April that he planned on signing with Penn State, specula- tion shifted to another member of the St. Thomas Aquinas secondary, King Mack. Mack hadn't visited State College to that point, but it was hard to ignore reports that the 5-foot-10, 175-pound safety, a four-star prospect in the On3 Consensus, was seriously considering the Nittany Lions. In mid-June, King, his parents and brother flew to Penn State to check out the school and its football program in person. They saw what they needed to see on the official visit, and on June 30, Mack became the fourth defensive back to join the class of 2023. "Penn State was just a different vibe," he told On3's Joseph Hastings. "Happy Valley, once I got there, I knew that was the place to be. The way Coach [James] Franklin cares for the kids, he sees bigger than football. But he doesn't settle for a bachelor's degree. He wants you to get your master's degree. "That separates and makes a differ- ence between being mediocre and being great. That just stood out for me. What they're building, it's wonderful." In addition to feeling comfortable on campus, Mack's relationship with the coaching staff was a big factor in his de- cision. His recruitment was started by running backs coach Ja'Juan Seider, who oversees Penn State's efforts in Florida. Safeties coach Anthony Poindexter also had a big role in this commitment. "From the beginning of the process, when I first got offered from Penn State, from that day, even until now, they al- ways call me, checking up on me," Mack said following his official visit. "They never stopped recruiting me. Coach Dex calls me like three times a week, and it's not even to talk about football. It's just to talk about life, making sure mentally I'm OK, on and off the field. That separates. That makes a difference. Knowing that someone cares about you, not only on the field but off the field, is just huge." Mack, who had 54 tackles, 4 intercep- tions and 3 pass deflections as a junior at St. Thomas Aquinas, received 30 schol- arship offers. He is the No. 21 safety na- tionally and No. 50 Florida prospect in the On3 Consensus. In addition to Penn State, he was pur- sued by Michigan State, Miami, North Carolina, Notre Dame, Ole Miss and Texas A&M. Mack gave the Spartans se- rious consideration but ultimately chose the Nittany Lions. ■ COMMITMENT PROFILE KING MACK Mack had 54 tackles and 4 interceptions during his junior season at St. Thomas Aquinas High in Fort Lauderdale. PHOTO BY JOSEPH HASTINGS/ON3 A four-star safety in the On3 Consensus, King Mack joined his St. Thomas Aquinas teammate Conrad Hussey in Penn State's class in late June. Here's what the defensive back prospect brings to PSU: STRENGTHS Turnovers: Really, there's not one tangible skill that creates turnovers. It's a mix of ath- letic ability and football intelligence. Yet, when you see it, it's undeniable. The first minute and a half of King Mack's highlight reel is filled with impressive interceptions. Speed: Mack is one of the top track ath- letes in Broward County. He's a heat-seeking missile when he locks onto his target. Tackling: Despite lacking prototypical size for the position, Mack is a genuine safety prospect with the hitting power to make a difference in the run game. That will translate to Penn State. AREAS OF DEVELOPMENT Weight/size: Mack is not a large player with a massive frame. He can certainly play at a heavier weight than his current 175 pounds, but will he grow into a position- versatile safety for Penn State? There's no certainty that will happen. Man coverage: Mack doesn't have elite fluidity in his hips, so again, there's a ques- tion about his pure cornerback skills. Yet it's not a stretch to think he can do it; it will just take time. PROJECTION AT PENN STATE Field safety: With his range and ball skills, Mack would make an excellent free safety in most college defenses. Thanks to his reckless abandon in run support, he has an above- average chance to become an all-around player at the position. Striker: Maybe this is a stretch, but Mack is such an impressive tackler for his size that if he bulks up, he could play the field linebacker position in Manny Diaz's defense. His build and play style are reminiscent of former 5-10 Miami defensive back Jaquan Johnson, who played for Diaz in the same role in 2018. Slot corner: He would need to prove he can play in man coverage, but if he does, Mack might be the type of player that can play all three downs in the 11th defender role. It's a lot of responsibility, but it's possible. — Thomas Frank Carr P L A Y E R E V A L U A T I O N Florida Defensive Back Likes PSU's 'Different Vibe' RYA N S N Y D E R | R YA N. S N Y D E R @ O N 3 . C O M