Penn State cornerback AJ Harris plans to enter the NCAA transfer portal

Penn State cornerback AJ Harris intends to enter the transfer portal when it opens on Jan. 2, On3’s Pete Nakos reports. BWI’s Sean Fitz had previously told subscribers about the defender’s plans on The Lions Den message board.

Harris is entering his final season of eligibility in 2026. An All-Big Ten third-team selection in 2024 and honorable mention choice by the media in 2025, Harris’ play took a step backward between his first and second seasons in State College. He is hoping for a bounce-back final year at this level with the school he lands at next.

Over two seasons in State College, Harris started 16 games in year one and 11 in year two. He departs Penn State with a total of 81 tackles (five for loss) and one interception. He also broke up six passes. His lone fumble recovery came this past season.

Portal tracker

Harris is the second Penn State cornerback to share his plan to enter the portal since the regular season ended. Elliot Washington II plans to do so, as well. Like Harris, he has a single season of eligibility left. The duo is joined by tight end Joey Schlaffer, guard Alex Birchmeier, and defensive end Chaz Coleman in moving on via the transfer portal. None of them will play for the Lions in the Pinstripe Bowl against Clemson. It starts at Noon ET on Sat., Dec. 27. ABC will televise the game.

“The process is the same as anything,” interim head coach Terry Smith said on Dec. 9. “It’s going to be the next man up. The standard is the result. We’ll field a team that’s going to be ready to compete. We have our work cut out for us to play against Clemson, but we’re going to put a product out there on the field that’s representative of Penn State.

“We’re going to play really hard and play really tough, and we’re going to get after it. Then the result will be the result, but the next man up has to deliver the job.”

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