Penn State lands its 1st transfer portal commit of offseason

Penn State has its first transfer portal addition of the offseason.

Alan Herron, a sought-after offensive tackle from Division II Shorter University, verbally committed to the Nittany Lions on Monday. He announced his decision on social media.

Herron committed to Penn State after visiting campus over the weekend. He visited Texas Tech the previous week and was scheduled to visit Clemson this weekend.

Shorter (D2) transfer OT Alan Herron (@AlanHerron72) has committed to Penn State‼️https://t.co/l6HDDPGq0I pic.twitter.com/059pI8nLm4

— Transfer Portal (@TransferPortal_) December 11, 2023

Herron picked Penn State over offers from not only the Tigers and Red Raiders, but also Auburn, Miami, Virginia Tech, Louisville, Maryland and NC State, among others.

Herron, who stands at 6-foot-6, 310 pounds, is currently the No. 6 offensive tackle and the No. 106 overall prospect in the transfer portal, according to 247 Sports. He will have three years to utilize two seasons of eligibility.

Herron is arriving at an interesting time for Penn State’s offensive line. Olu Fashanu, an All-American left tackle and projected first-round pick, is expected to declare for the 2024 NFL draft. Right tackle Caedan Wallace, a senior with one year of eligibility left, has not made his intentions clear if he’ll be back for the 2024 season.

Drew Shelton, who started five games as a freshman and rotated this year as a sophomore, is a projected starter. Five-star freshman J’ven Williams could also step up in 2024. Herron could play right away or simply provide depth for offensive line coach Phil Trautwein.