Former Georgia Cornerback A.J. Harris Transferring to Penn State
Former Georgia cornerback A.J. Harris, among the top-10 prospects in the NCAA Transfer Portal according to 247 Sports, has committed to Penn State, boosting a roster that will lose three cornerbacks to the NFL. Harris, who has not announced the transfer publicly, is listed in Penn State's student directory. Blue-White Illustrated's Sean Fitz and 247Sports first reported the move.
Harris, a composite 5-star prospect in the 2023 recruiting class according to 247Sports, played in seven games during his freshman season at Georgia. He was a top-30 prospect nationally, the second-ranked cornerback and the No. 1 overall player in Alabama, where he played a Central High in Phenix City. Harris entered the NCAA transfer portal in mid-December. He was ranked as the No. 2 cornerback and the No. 8 player in the portal, according to 247Sports.
Harris, who chose Georgia over Ohio State, won raves from Georgia coach Kirby Smart on Signing Day in December 2022.
"Competitiveness. I mean, he loves football," Smart said of Harris. "Number one traits you look for now is how much do you love football, how much can you process information, because after you height, weight, jump, test everybody, it becomes, what knowledge can you handle in between your ears? I think he is going to excel at that. He takes notes. He is very bright, and he wants it. He is hungry. That's a part that I can't coach into him."
Harris steps into a position group where opportunity exists. Three Penn State cornerbacks (Kalen King, Johnny Dixon and Daequan Hardy) likely will get selected in the 2024 NFL Draft. Penn State played some young cornerbacks, including freshmen Zion Tracy and Elliot Washington II, in the Peach Bowl against Ole Miss.
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