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Penn State HC James Franklin on A.J. Harris: ‘I Don’t Think He’s Scratched the Surface’

AJ Harris celebrates a fumble recovery which would later be overturned to an incompletion.

The NCAA transfer portal has a mind of its own, and that’s where Penn State got one of its best defensive players.

Following the 2023 season, more than 3,500 players entered the portal looking for new homes. 

In a crowded pool of talent, few athletes find a second or third school and make a significant impact. Many go on to successful careers and some to the pros. 

Georgia transfer cornerback A.J. Harris is one of a few exceptions. Harris continues to establish himself as Penn State’s best cornerback in his first season with PSU.

“I think he’s has done a really good job,” coach James Franklin said Monday during his weekly presser. “When you think about the history and tradition at Penn State, and we’ve got as good a history and tradition as anywhere in the country, but probably the corner room, there were fewer examples of that over time.” 

For a school known as “LBU” with prolific linebackers LaVar Arrington, NaVorro Bowman, and Micah Parsons, Penn State has produced talented corners as recently as Joey Porter Jr.  and others being drafted to the NFL. 

“A.J. is a very highly recruited young man that we were involved with out of high school, but once he showed up on campus, he bought into everything we asked him to do,” Franklin said. “Tested really well physically. And then just embraced the competition in that room.”

Only a sophomore, Harris joined PSU after playing seven games at Georgia last year. He made eight total tackles in a limited role . Georgia missed the four-team College Football Playoff. Franklin credited defensive recruiting coordinator and cornerback coach Terry Smith for reviving the position.

“I think Terry [Smith] has changed that dramatically,” Franklin said. “That’s no disrespect, I don’t mean it anyway disrespectful, but Terry has just done a really good job taking a position, and you talk about draft picks and you talk about All-Conference players and those types of things, and at a position specifically and how the conference has changed, a lot more spread offenses, a lot more throwing the ball around. Terry’s done a phenomenal job.”

Penn State struggled against Ole Miss in the Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium to close last season. PSU allowed 38 points and 540 yards of offense to Lane Kiffin and quarterback Jaxson Dart, who threw for 379 yards on a depleted pass defense with multiple opt-outs/limited snap counts. Franklin’s teams have always been built through recruiting out of high school – Harris was originally recruited by PSU two years ago – so when he does land a transfer, it’s important to hit a home run. 

“Whether it’s high school guys that we have developed or whether that’s going out to the transfer portal, as you guys know we’re not a big transfer portal team, but look a little bit at junior college recruiting used to be, go out and fill an immediate need, or just bring some veteran leadership into the room,” Franklin said.

Franklin noted it’s not often a young, talented player like Harris falls into your lap, but Florida transfer Jalen Kimber is providing a similar impact with a veteran presence. Harris owns 26 tackles, two tackles for loss, and four passes defended, solidifying himself as PSU’s No. 1 and most consistent corner both tackling and pass coverage.

When did Franklin realize Harris would make a significant impact?

“It was probably early on,” Franklin said. “One of the first things we do is baseline testing and kind of check all the boxes from a measurement standpoint, and then he was able to pick up the scheme.”

Harris grabbed his first career interception and returned 20 yards against No. 19 Illinois on 4th and 6 in a 14-7 game. His pick led to a Kaytron Allen rushing touchdown as the cherry on top of Penn State’s only ranked win.

 Harris owns the 11th-best Pro Football Focus grade of any cornerback in the country, often guarding the oppositions most talented receivers like Jeremiah Smith (Ohio State) and Makai Lemon (USC). The 6-foot-1 Phenix City, Alabama, native continues to grow and develop in Tom Allen’s defense and be a great find for 2024 and beyond. For Harris, these few games in Blue and White could be just the beginning.

“The thing that’s exciting to me is, I don’t think he’s scratched the surface,” Franklin said. “I think there’s a ton left for him, and I think he’s playing at a high level, but I think there’s a ton left for improvement there. And I think Terry is the right guy to coach him. As good as he’s been, I think he’s got a chance to get a lot better.”

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