Buddy Mack originally chose not to walk on Senior Night earlier this month, paving the way for a return to Pitt for his final season of eligibility, but plans have changed.
Pittsburgh Sports Now was initially under the impression that Mack would return this season, but as the Pitt coaching staff meets with players throughout the week, the two sides will look for the best fit for both sides. And it’s clear that Mack will find more playing time outside of Pittsburgh.
PSN can confirm that Mack entered the transfer portal Wednesday morning with one season of eligibility remaining.
The 6-foot-1, 200-pounder from Greer, S.C. arrived at Pitt as a member of the class of 2020, starting as a defensive back, and while he spent time at linebacker, he made the switch back to safety and has played primarily as a special teamer this season — taking 10 defensive snaps against Notre Dame.
Mack played in four games in 2022, mostly on special teams, as he was tested at linebacker. He played in 22 games, once again on special teams and at safety, the position he was originally recruited to Pitt to play over the prior two seasons. He recorded 18 total tackles, including a career-high five against New Hampshire, over that span.
Mack was a member of Pitt’s class of 2020 when he was recruited by both Archie Collins and Cory Sanders. He originally committed to Charlotte, before opening up his recruitment right before National Signing Day and committing to the Panthers instead.
Mack was a three-star recruit, holding offers from West Virginia, Indiana, Air Force, Army, Coastal Carolina, Colorado State, Liberty, Memphis, Miami Ohio, Navy, Old Dominion and Temple.
Mack is the third Pitt player to enter the transfer portal this month, following Brandon George on Monday and Aydin Henningham earlier Tuesday.
If you generate a list of the existing roster of whom the 85 scholarship awardees are that would be an interesting read. From your recent releases on the PSN site it appears the stafff is scrubbing the upper classmen non-contributors.
Portal hasn’t officially started yet. Stop with the hating because these kids are exercising there options. Cleaning out what that team was terrible and I do not see promise in there future at the moment