Penn State officially announces transfers, including WR Julian Fleming

Penn State has added potential impact players via the transfer portal over the last month. On Thursday night, the Nittany Lions made those additions official.

Penn State announced that Ohio State wide receiver Julian Fleming, Georgia cornerback A.J. Harris, Florida cornerback Jalen Kimber, Wisconsin offensive lineman Nolan Rucci and defensive end Jordan Mayer and Tulsa placekicker Chase Meyer are formally in the fold.

All six have been added to the Nittany Lions’ roster and will be available to compete in winter workouts, spring ball and training camp ahead of the 2024 season.

Let’s take a closer look at all six.

Julian Fleming, WR, Ohio State

Fleming, who has one year of eligibility remaining, announced his commitment to Penn State on Jan. 3. The former Southern Columbia standout was a five-star prospect and the top player in Pennsylvania, according to 247 Sports, in the 2020 recruiting class.

Fleming played four years at Ohio State but never emerged in a talented receiver room that has produced first-round draft picks such as Chris Olave, Garrett Wilson, Jaxon Smith-Njigba and, soon enough, Marvin Harrison Jr.

Fleming totaled 963 yards and seven touchdowns on 79 receptions in 38 games. His best season came in 2022 when he ranked third on the team in receiving behind Harrison and Emeka Egbuka with 533 yards and six touchdowns on 34 catches.

Wide receiver was a key need for the Nittany Lions in the portal. Fleming is expected to come in, start and provide an experienced target for quarterback Drew Allar.

A.J. Harris, CB, Georgia

Harris, who arrived at Penn State this week, was the No. 2 cornerback and the No. 8 player overall in the portal, according to 247 Sports.

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 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.

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 nickel back Daequan Hardy, leaving Smith’s room in a state of flux.

Jalen Kimber, CB, Florida

Kimber, who announced his decision to flip from his Louisville commitment Thursday, will also push for playing time in Penn State’s secondary.

Kimber spent two seasons at Georgia in 2020 and 2021. He played in three games as a true freshman and suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in 2021. Kimber watched from the sidelines as the Bulldogs won the 2021 national championship.

Kimber transferred to Florida in January 2022 and had a nice run with the Gators. He played in 25 games in two years, making 11 starts this past season. In 2023, he finished second on the team with five pass breakups while adding 23 tackles and a fumble recovery.

Nolan Rucci, OT, Wisconsin

Rucci, a former five-star offensive lineman at Warwick and the No. 1 in-state prospect from the 2021 recruiting class, transferred to Penn State after three years at Wisconsin.

Rucci strongly considered committing to Penn State out of high school. He visited Happy Valley several times and is a Penn State legacy. His father, Todd, played for the Nittany Lions in the 1990s. His mother, Stacy, was a field hockey All-American at Penn State.

Rucci played sparingly in his three years at Wisconsin, redshirting in 2021 and sitting behind NFL talent at offensive tackle in 2022 and 2023. With Olu Fashanu and Caedan Wallace departing, Rucci will try to earn one of two starting tackle spots in 2024.

Jordan Mayer, DE/OLB, Wisconsin

Mayer, who will have four years of eligibility, spent his freshman year at Wisconsin before hitting the portal. While he was listed as an outside linebacker on the Badgers’ website, Mayer could also play defensive end for the Nittany Lions.

Mayer was a three-star prospect in the 2023 recruiting class coming out of Thomas Jefferson. The 6-foot-4, 235-pounder initially committed to Boston College before flipping to Wisconsin.

Mayer did not earn any snaps this past season for the Badgers. He is expected to provide Penn State with depth before potentially expanding his role in the coming years.

Chase Meyer, K, Tulsa

The Nittany Lions found great success in 2023 with Columbia transfer Alex Felkins, an All-Big Ten selection in his lone season in Happy Valley. Penn State is going back to the well, nabbing a transfer kicker to compete for the starting job in 2024.

Meyer, who began his career at Penn, converted 17 of 20 field goals and 30 of 31 extra-point attempts this season for Tulsa. He has two years of eligibility.