Penn State adds Georgia CB A.J. Harris from the transfer portal

Penn State has landed one of the top players in the transfer portal, former Georgia cornerback A.J. Harris.

Harris did not publicly announce his decision. But PennLive can confirm that the former Bulldog is enrolled at Penn State, which started classes on Monday. He is expected to be available for winter workouts and spring practice ahead of the 2024 season.

The news was first reported by on3.

Harris is the No. 2 cornerback and the No. 8 player overall in the portal, according to 247 Sports. He chose Penn State over reported interest from Auburn and Kentucky, among others.

Harris, a rising sophomore, will have three years of eligibility in Happy Valley. He played in the first seven games of Georgia’s 2023 season but didn’t see any action down the stretch.

Harris is the third Power Five player the Nittany Lions have landed out of the portal. Ohio State wide receiver Julian Fleming and Wisconsin offensive tackle Nolan Rucci — a pair of Pennsylvania products and former five-star recruits — picked Penn State last week.

Harris was a heavily sought-after recruit coming out of Central High School (Phenix City, Ala.). The 6-foot-1, 190-pounder was ranked as high as a five-star prospect and the No. 27 overall player in the 2023 recruiting class, per 247 Sports.

Penn State had a previous relationship with Harris. Cornerbacks coach Terry Smith offered him out of high school and has led his recruitment in the portal. Harris also had offers from 36 other schools, including Alabama, Michigan and Ohio State, as a high school prospect.

Harris comes to Penn State with an opportunity to play right away. Kalen King and Johnny Dixon, the NIttany Lions’ top outside corners, are off to the NFL. So is nickelback Daequan Hardy, leaving Smith’s room in a state of flux.

Cam Miller, a rising junior, is Penn State’s top returning corner. The Nittany Lions also have Mississippi State transfer Audavion Collins, who did not play last season, as well as 2023 signees Zion Tracy, Elliot Washington and Lamont Payne Jr. on the roster.

Miller and Tracy experienced a baptism by fire in the Peach Bowl with King and Dixon opting out of the 38-25 loss to Ole Miss. The Rebels threw for 394 yards against a depleted secondary — the most Penn State has allowed in a game since the 2019 Cotton Bowl.

Miller, Tracy and the rest of the young cornerbacks have plenty of potential. Being thrust into action against a potent Ole Miss passing attack — especially when King traveled with the team and was expected to play — was less than ideal.

But with King, Dixon and Hardy gone, cornerback was a need for the Nittany Lions. And they took a step in addressing that need with the addition of Harris.