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Video Recap: Penn State lands former five-star Nolan Rucci

Headshot 5x7 reduced qualityby:Thomas Frank Carr•01/06/24•

ThomasFrankCarr

Nolan Rucci Penn State Football On3
Penn State picked up another former five-star player who left PA to play elsewhere. Wisconsin offensive lineman Nolan Rucci committed to Penn State on Saturday after entering the portal earlier in the week. (Photo: Nolan Rucci)

The Penn State Nittany Lions once again relied on their relationships when recruiting a player in the portal. After acquiring former five-star wide receiver in the Class of 2020, Penn State has added another former five-star Pennsylvania native. Wisconsin offensive lineman Nolan Rucci has committed to the Nittany Lions after entering the transfer portal on January 4. In today’s Breaking News video, we discuss his potential impact on Penn State’s 2024 campaign and what his return to the Nittany Lions means.

Check out the replay here or on the Blue White Illustrated YouTube Channel.

Penn State relying on former relationships

As they have done in the past, Penn State and head coach James Franklin are relying on prior relationships with players in the transfer portal. Rucci is a Litiz, PA native whose family has strong ties to the University. His father, Todd, is a former Penn State player, and his mother is a former field hockey player for the Lions. Rucci was one of Penn State’s top targets in the Class of 2023 but opted to head to Wisconsin with his brother instead of joining his family’s legacy with the Nittany Lions. 

Rucci was an early miss for Penn State offensive line coach Phil Trautwein, who arrived at Happy Valley in 2020 amid the COVID-19 Pandemic. The normal relationship-oriented Penn State recruiting efforts were cut off from in-home visits. Ultimately, Rucci chose the Badgers. 

Rucci doesn’t see the field for Wisconsin

 Rucci’s issues at Wisconsin were two-fold during his three seasons in Madison. After redshirting his first season, the 6-8 tackle hasn’t seen the field over the last two years. In his two years at Wisconsin, Rucci totaled 70 snaps on offense. He played left tackle for the Badgers and presumably will compete for that position with Penn State. 

Rucci’s move also comes after the program fired Paul Chryst halfway through his redshirt freshman season. Wisconsin hired Luke Fickell, who runs a wide-open passing attack. While Rucci could fit in that system, it seems that he’s interested in playing elsewhere. 

Stay tuned to Blue White Illustrated for more transfer portal news. The team has hosted several critical portal targets, including two at cornerback. Former five-star corner Tony Grimes was on campus this weekend, as was Georgia transfer A.J. Harris. Blue White Illustrated has been following the teams visitors and will keep you updated on that progress. 

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