Son of ex-Penn State football player, No. 1 recruit in PA hits transfer portal

The stars are starting to align for the Penn State football team. First, it was former Ohio State WR Julian Fleming who made his announcement that he would be coming home to play for Penn State. Now, it’s possible for James Franklin to reconnect with former Wisconsin offensive tackle Nolan Rucci, as the former five-star prospect has officially entered the transfer portal. Can the Nittany Lions bring home this Penn State legacy player who was one of the state’s best prospects in his recruiting cycle?

Former Wisconsin OT, No. 1 player in PA Nolan Rucci enters the transfer portal

The best in PA stay in PA. That’s what Penn State football fans stay when the Nittany Lions earn commitments from in-state talent. But Nolan Rucci felt like the one who got away. Rucci was a former five-star prospect in the 2021 recruiting class and the No. 1 player in Pennsylvania, according to 247sports.

From Lititz, PA, Rucci took seven unofficial visits to Penn State during his recruiting process but ended up committing to Wisconsin. A big part of Rucci’s commitment to Wisconsin was due to his brother Hayden Rucci who plays tight end for the Badgers. Now, Nolan Rucci has officially entered the transfer portal, searching for a new home.

Wisconsin offensive lineman Nolan Rucci has entered the transfer portal, @mzenitz and I have learned for @247Sports.

He ranked as a five-star recruit in the 2021 class. https://t.co/nzsxyL2xAt pic.twitter.com/3QkvUqcZCN

— Chris Hummer (@chris_hummer) January 4, 2024

The Rucci family has Penn State ties

Hayden and Nolan Rucci went off to chase their college football dreams at Wisconsin. However, their family is familiar with Penn State and has active ties to the Nittany Lions.

Of course, Rucci’s father, Todd, played for Penn State football in the 1990s under Joe Paterno. Rucci was selected in the second round of the 1990 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots, where he played for seven seasons. A starter in Super Bowl XXXI, Rucci is a member of the Patriots’ 1990s All-Decade Team.

Although the Rucci children both started their football careers at Wisconsin, the family still maintains close ties to Penn State.

Former No. 1-ranked player in PA. Both parents are Penn State alums and noted season-ticket holders https://t.co/KVfihFUTt9

— Seth Engle (@bigsengtweets) January 4, 2024

Penn State will lose both starting tackles Olu Fashanu and Caedan Wallace to the NFL. Adding the former No. 1 player in PA to replace that would certainly help. Rucci will be a redshirt junior in 2024 with two seasons of eligibility remaining.

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