Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1520787
1 0 J U N E / J U L Y 2 0 2 4 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M T he Penn State football team was fairly successful at minimizing its transfer losses through the first four months of 2024. However, on May 2, the news broke that five Nittany Lion players had joined the team's three earlier por- tal entrants — wide receivers KeAndre Lambert-Smith and Malick Meiga and defensive end Davon Townley Jr. — dur- ing the spring transfer window. The de- parting players were wide receiver Ma- lik McClain, offensive lineman Golden Israel-Achumba, running backs London Montgomery and David Kency Jr. and safety King Mack. Here's a look at the areas where those losses could affect Penn State this com- ing season and beyond, starting with the most significant. Secondary Of the five recent departures, the player whose loss will likely have the biggest im- pact is Mack. Coming out of St. Thomas Aquinas in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., he was listed in the On3 Industry Ranking as the No. 8 safety nationally and No. 93 overall prospect. Mack was one of the top players in Penn State's 2023 recruiting class and was all but certain to have a prominent role as a sophomore this fall. No, Mack wasn't slated to start in 2024, but he was clearly the team's top reserve at the position. Considering that Penn State plans to play three safeties in co- ordinator Tom Allen's defense, Mack was going to be an important rotational player. In fact, he was the team's starting field safety during the Blue-White Game, which junior Kevin Winston Jr. missed due to an injury. These days, when a promising young player leaves just as he's on the brink of getting on the field regularly, NIL consid- erations have to be taken into account as a possible reason. Whatever the explanation, Penn State is positioned to absorb King's loss this year, barring additional injuries. The staff has moved redshirt freshman Lamont Payne Jr. from cornerback to safety, and he may be the team's new primary backup at the field safety spot. Mack's absence will hurt more in 2025. He was on track to join the starting lineup next year following the likely departure of Winston and the certain exit of current senior Jaylen Reed. The Lions do have an- other former four-star safety on the ros- ter in redshirt freshman DaKaari Nelson, Assessing The Impact Of Penn State's Recent Portal Losses NAT E BAU E R | N AT E . B A U E R @ O N 3 . C O M NEWS & NOTES After playing in 12 games as a true freshman last fall, safety King Mack was on track to have a big role in Penn State's secondary in the years to come. PHOTO BY STEVE MANUEL PENN STATE'S SPRING TRANSFER LOSSES Name Pos. Elig. School Golden Israel-Achumba OL R-Sr. TBD David Kency Jr. RB R-Fr. TBD KeAndre Lambert-Smith WR Sr. Auburn King Mack S So. Alabama Malick Meiga WR Sr. Coastal Carolina Malik McClain WR Sr. Arizona St. London Montgomery RB R-Fr. TBD Davon Townley Jr. DT R-Jr. TBD