An obvious and perfect fit for Jim Knowles’ defense at Tennessee just entered the NCAA transfer portal
The Tennessee Vols could use some secondary help in the NCAA transfer portal.
One of Tennessee Vols’ top priorities in the NCAA transfer portal over the next couple of weeks will be finding help at safety.
Tennessee is expected to be active in the transfer portal as the program looks to add players that fit new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles’ system. And safety is one of the top positions of need for the Vols.
Safety with connection to Jim Knowles enters transfer portal
One player that could be an option for Tennessee is Penn State transfer safety King Mack.
Mack, who briefly transferred to Alabama earlier in his career, totaled 58 tackles and an interception for the Nittany Lions in 2025.
The former four-star recruit spoke highly of Knowles’ defense — which has a reputation for being hard to pick up — near the end of the 2025 season.
“Coach Knowles, his biggest thing is for us to play fast, and he sees what we respond to. He knows us as players,” said Mack in November. “So what he did was put us in the best position, and that’s what he did. And we were able to have a good game.”
“It’s actually 1,000% way better (to understand the defense). It’s more fluent. Everybody’s on the same page now. We’re able to execute as a unit, we’re able to be physical, play with grit, toughness. And it’s fun. Honestly, it’s fun.”
“Everyone doesn’t have to do too much,” added Mack. “You don’t have to be an extraordinary player to be a part of Jim Knowles’ defense. As long as you can do your job to the best of your ability, the play is going to come to you. And that’s what’s so great about the defense. One person do their job, it’s an opportunity for everybody on the field.”
Mack also played for new Vols safeties coach Anthony Poindexter at Penn State.
“Your coaches are going to put you in the best situation,” said Mack after returning to Penn State. “I didn’t see that fully as a freshman, but once I got to Alabama I realized that Coach Dex (Anthony Poindexter) and the rest of the coaches put me in the best situation.”
Tennessee makes a lot of sense for Mack, but several other programs will likely also have interest in the experienced safety.
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