Top transfer portal target visits Big Ten rival hours after seeing Penn State

We’re approaching crunch time in the winter transfer portal season. With the entry window officially closed, thousands of college football players are still searching for landing spots before spring semesters begin in the coming weeks. With classes starting on Monday, the time is now for James Franklin and Penn State football to make their moves. However, the Nittany Lions are facing competition from a Big Ten rival for a top portal prospect. Reports now indicate that former five-star CB Tony Grimes is on campus at Michigan State today, one day after visiting State College.

Former five-star Tony Grimes expected to visit Michigan State today

Penn State football has clearly prioritized finding talent at corner from the transfer portal days after giving up 394 passing yards to Ole Miss in the Peach Bowl. James Franklin hosted former Georgia CB AJ Harris earlier this week. The Nittany Lions are now the favorite to land Harris, who is currently the No. 2 CB in the transfer portal. 

But after losing its three top DBs to the NFL, Penn State can take multiple players at the position. Subsequently, the Nittany Lions hosted a second five-star CB, Tony Grimes, on Friday. Grimes put up nearly 100 tackles in three seasons at North Carolina before transferring to Texas A&M, where he redshirted this year. 

Penn State football is not the only Big Ten program vying for Tony Grimes, however. Grimes is visiting Michigan State on Saturday, just hours after leaving Happy Valley. Michigan State is in the process of reshaping its roster after hiring Jonathan Smith in November. 

Michigan State OV 💚 …….

— Tony Grimes (@757EliteDB) January 6, 2024

Penn State football transfer portal tracker

James Franklin and the Nittany Lions have been hitting the transfer portal hard in the week since the Peach Bowl loss to Ole Miss. In addition to hosting AJ Harris and Tony Grimes, Penn State football also landed former five-star WR Julian Fleming on Wednesday. 

And the Nittany Lions aren’t done yet. This afternoon, Penn State earned a commitment from Wisconsin OT and former No. 1 player in Pennsylvania Nolan Rucci. Rucci chose the Badgers in 2021 despite his family ties to Penn State football. The Litiz native entered the portal on Thursday. 

Penn State football currently ranks No. 35 in On3’s transfer portal rankings. The Nittany Lions have added three players to date, Fleming, Rucci, and Tulsa K Chase Meyer. Penn State has lost five players so far, most notably No. 2 WR Dante Cephas, who only spent one season in Happy Valley.

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