BREAKING: Penn State football transfer portal commit flips to Big Ten rival

Penn State football has lost transfer portal commit Alan Herron to Big Ten rival Maryland. Herron flipped his commitment from the Nittany Lions to the Terrapins in an announcement released on Thursday. The loss is a blow to the Penn State offensive front and cuts the Nittany Lions’ current portal class down to one.

Penn State transfer portal commit Alan Herron flips to Big Ten rival Maryland

The recruitment of Alan Herron was short, sweet, and ultimately finished with an unhappy ending for Penn State football. Herron, a fast-rising prospect from Division II Shorter University (GA), entered the transfer portal on November 16. He received an offer from James Franklin and the Nittany Lions on November 29.

Herron was quick to visit Penn State, traveling to Happy Valley for an official visit on the weekend of December 9. He committed to the Nittany Lions two days later, on December 11.

But that commitment was short-lived, only lasting ten days. This week, 247Sports predicted that the transfer portal prospect would flip his commitment from Penn State football to Big Ten rival Maryland. That prediction became official on Thursday, when Maryland announced that Alan Herron would join the Terrapins for 2024. The news was first reported by Adam Friedman of Rivals.

Maryland just announced the transfers of Aliou Bah (Georgia), Alan Herron (Shorter), Jalen Huskey (Bowling Green) and MJ Morris (NC State) @rivals @RivalsPortal @TerrapinSports

— Adam Friedman (@RivalsFriedman) December 21, 2023

Herron was rated as the No. 7 transfer portal OT when he committed to Penn State. He currently sits at No. 10 in those rankings, according to 247Sports.

Nittany Lions’ portal class gets slashed in half

The decision from Alan Herron now cuts the transfer portal class for Penn State football in half. The Nittany Lions received a commitment from K Chase Meyer on December 17.

Losing Herron is a blow for Penn State football in terms of depth on the offensive front. Nittany Lions’ RT Caedan Wallace declared for the NFL Draft on December 16. A similar decision from star LT Olu Fashanu has not been announced but is widely expected. C Hunter Nourzad is out of eligibility following the Peach Bowl, and the statuses of JB Nelson and Sal Wormley have not been announced.

The Nittany Lions do have young talent in the offensive line room, but Herron would have added another veteran presence. Penn State added two top-10 talents on the offensive front, Cooper Cousins and Garrett Sexton, during National Signing Day on Wednesday. But, it’s likely neither will be ready to contribute in 2024.

While the loss of Herron may not have a significant impact on the starting five Penn State rolls out next fall, it could become a factor if and when injuries occur.

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