EDIT: This story appeared last night, and we suggested Alabama was almost certainly a lock for MSU Spartan OL Geno VanDeMark. Geno made that official today, and now the Tide sits at 85 scholarship players entering Summer and after one helluva tumultuous Spring.

Now the real work begins.

With the loss of Caleb Downs to Ohio State, and a decimated cornerback group, Safety was a position of urgent need in the portal, as was shoring up the corner spot opposite Domani Jackson.

The Tide has already had some success: first, in signing former Michigan FS Keon Sabb.

And he wasn’t alone — last week ‘Bama picked up former Charlotte starting safety Kameron Howard, and added physical Wake CB DaShawn Jones.

KDB wasn’t done yet, though. A player that had been high on almost everyone’s list was Penn State transfer FS, King Mack — affectionately known as “The Acrobat.”

And, ladies and gentlemen…we got ‘em.

Mack was a 4-star out of high school, and as a freshman played in all 13 games in Penn State’s stellar secondary. He’s still a bit rough around the edges, but he can do it all: good power, good instincts in the box, great range and anticipation, solid hands, makes plays on the ball in run or pass, and he has Olympic level speed to boot: 10.6 seconds in the 100. You’re not going to beat him over the top.

Mack, like Sabb, is just an entering sophomore too; so, this is not a one-year rental, rather he can hopefully be cornerstone of the secondary for at least the next two seasons.

Depending on who’s counting, Alabama has either 84 or 85 players on scholarship — though I believe it is 84, with one spot being held open for versatile Michigan State offensive lineman, Geno VanDemark. And, for my money, I think we get him. Why? VanDemark’s old OL coach just happens to now hold that position in Tuscaloosa.

The silly season is winding down, and Alabama’s roster is just about now complete for the Fall. And Mack is a tremendous pickup in what has been a very busy two weeks for the ‘Bama staff.

Roll Tide.