Key transfers bolster Nittany Lions’ roster

Key transfers bolster Nittany Lions’ roster

UNIVERSITY PARK (Nittany Nation) A lot has played out in Happy Valley since Penn State’s 38-25 loss to Ole Miss in the Peach Bowl. The Nittany Lions hired another coordinator, special teams coach Justin Lustig. Penn State signed another top-15 recruiting class, and the Nittany Lions landed a few marquee transfers.

247Sports grades defensive back A.J. Harris as the top transfer, but his name recognition won’t carry the same weight as the team’s other marquee additions, offensive linemen Nolan Rucci, and wide receiver Julian Flemming.

Rucci is a legacy commit. Both his dad and grandfather played for the Nittany Lions. He was a top-20 offensive linemen out of high school and ultimately settled at Wisconsin where he spent three seasons.

Rucci saw limited playing time until Wisconsin’s 38-31 loss to LSU in the ReliaQuest Bowl.

“I think we knew very well what he was capable of, but there wasn’t a whole lot of evidence of it at Wisconsin,” said Franklin. “They stayed very healthy and didn’t rotate players the way we have. So him playing in that bowl game I think was really important for for both sides.”

Rucci nearly came to Happy Valley out of college, the same can be said for Flemming who was a top-5 prospect in the nation out of Southern Columbia. Flemming and Rucci both nearly landed at Penn State once, and Franklin said that familiarity made them key portal targets.

“If we go to the transfer portal more times than not, I would love it to be a guy that we recruited on the front end because it’s a short period of time for the parents, for the players, and for our staff to get to know each other,” he said. “It’s it’s a it’s a mad dash to figure those things out.”

Penn State added five players via the portal this season, defensive end Jordan Mayer, and defensive back Jalen Kimber rounding out the crew.

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