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Penn State saw one defensive back announce Sunday that he was leaving for the NFL and one that said he is returning to the Nittany Lions.
Cornerback Jalen Kimber, who started all but one game this season, will enter the NFL draft, as expected. Kimber had a sixth year of eligibility remaining because of the COVID waiver but decided to end his college career.
Safety King Mack, who began his career with the Nittany Lions in 2023, said he’s transferring back to Penn State after spending the 2024 season at Alabama.
The 6-0, 184-pound Kimber made a career-high 37 tackles and three pass breakups after transferring from Florida. He received All-Big Ten honorable mention.
At least four veteran cornerbacks are expected to return for the Lions — returning starter A.J. Harris, Zion Tracy, Audavion Collins, Elliot Washington — and perhaps Cam Miller.
Mack’s decision strengthens the safety position with Kevin Winston Jr. and Jaylen Reed, the team’s leading tackler, moving onto the NFL. He’ll join returning starter Zakee Wheatley, Vabue Toure and Dejuan Lane as the leading contenders for playing time there.
A former four-star prospect from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the 5-10, 206-pound Mack played in every game as a Penn State freshman, mostly on special teams, and had three tackles.
At Alabama, he played in every game this season and had 14 tackles.
Mack, who attended the Orange Bowl, is the third player the Lions added from the transfer portal since Friday. Former Michigan defensive lineman Owen Wafle announced his commitment Saturday and former Texas A&M offensive lineman TJ Shanahan Jr. announced his Friday.
The decisions by Kimber and Mack came one day after junior defensive tackle Zane Durant announced he will return to the Lions for next season.
Durant joined quarterback Drew Allar, Wheatley and linebacker Dominic DeLuca…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/penn-state-secondary-loses-cornerback-044600174.html
Author : Reading Eagle, Pa.
Publish date : 2025-01-13 04:46:00
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