Penn State football misses on ACC starting defender following transfer portal visit

Penn State football recently brought a transfer portal prospect from the 305 area code north as the Nittany Lions prepare to head to South Beach for Thursday night’s Orange Bowl. However, the Nittany Lions’ efforts to court former Miami starting safety Jaden Harris were unsuccessful, as the ex-Hurricane signed with Georgia on Tuesday. 

Over the weekend, Penn State hosted Harris to campus for a visit. Harris entered the transfer portal last week after three years with the Hurricanes. But Harris is a Bulldog two days later, first reported by 247Sports’ Matt Zenitz and Chris Hummer.

The redshirt sophomore has two seasons of eligibility remaining. 

A four-star in On3’s 2022 class rankings, Harris started 15 games in his time with Miami, including all 13 games this fall. He was third on the team with 40 tackles this season and also posted 3.5 tackles for loss and one interception. 

In the ex-Hurricane, James Franklin and the Nittany Lions hoped to repeat a similar model employed with defensive back transfers AJ Harris and Jalen Kimber last offseason. Harris and Kimber have proved to be key components of the Penn State defense in 2024, combining for 80 tackles, five tackles for loss, and one interception. 

Penn State football transfer portal tracker

© Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images

Below is the movement that Penn State football has experienced so far during the winter transfer portal window. Although the entry deadline was December 28, the current Nittany Lions will have a five-day period to enter the portal following the College Football Playoff. 

Outgoing transfers

• Feyisayo Oluleye, WR – Entered portal on November 13.
• Jerry Cross, TE – Entered portal on December 2. Committed to Memphis on December 21.
• TA Cunningham, DL – Entered portal on December 9.
• Beau Pribula, QB – Entered portal on December 15. Committed to Missouri on December 22.
• Jason Estrella, WR – Entered portal on December 27.

Incoming transfers

• Kyron Hudson, WR – Entered portal from USC on December 5. Committed on December 16.
• Enai White, DE – Entered portal from Texas A&M on December 11. Committed on December 20.
• Devonte Ross, WR – Entered portal from Troy on December 16. Committed on December 24.

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