Why did AJ Harris pick Penn State, and how is his first spring going?

STATE COLLEGE — Like the rest of the transfers Penn State added to its roster during the winter portal window, AJ Harris ended his high school recruitment without picking the Lions. Yet, the program’s staff had no ill will toward the cornerback from Phenix City, Ala., and reciprocally, Harris knew that, should he ever want to leave Georgia, he left things on good terms with head coach James Franklin, cornerbacks coach Terry Smith, and other members of the staff in case he was ever going to have a portal recruitment.

Less than a year into his time in Athens, Harris decided he needed a new college football home. As a freshman last season, he made eight tackles in the Bulldogs’ first seven games in 2023. But he did not play in November and then started looking for a new school. That search ended with him picking Penn State back in January.

Fast-forward to April 9, and Harris is all smiles as he speaks with reporters inside Holuba Hall after his 12th spring practice in a Penn State jersey. It sounds, and looks, obvious that he’s happy with the choice that led him here.

“It was more so making the best decision for me to grow as a man and as a football player,” Harris said. I believe, just off of the track record at Penn State, it has much more to offer than just football. To grow past football, grow in the academic lane. And then you got somebody like Coach Terry [Smith], who’s developed multiple DBs. It was a no-brainer.”

Harris sees reasons for picking Penn State in action this spring

Harris said he had many reasons for picking Penn State. Some of them were off-field in nature. Others are on the field. Two in particular that were important to him were a strong defensive line and a competitive cornerback room. He is seeing both in action during spring ball.

“[I was looking for] things that had to do with the defensive line, how the defensive line looked for the coming years, and then just, how will I be developed? How would I develop past corner to get me to my ultimate end goal? And they definitely have a plan,” Harris said.

“The defensive line, it mattered a lot to me because the quicker they get to the quarterback, the less that I have to cover. So, I definitely need those guys up there getting to that quarterback as quick as possible.”

Penn State must replace some key pieces up front but returns standout end Dani Dennis-Sutton, multiple top-of-the-depth chart players at defensive tackle, and added Abdul Carter to the mix at the end this offseason to a list of others who have contributed at the position.

More: Penn State notes and observations on the defense from spring practice No. 12

The cornerbacks room, then, offers competition and opportunity. With last year’s top three players at the position gone, intriguing returners like Cam Miller, Zion Tracy, and Elliot Washington II are fighting for reps with newcomers like Harris, fellow transfer Jalen Kimber, and Class of 2024 early enrollee Antoine Belgrave-Shorter, among others. It’s an honest group that frequently has transparent discussions about where each member thinks he and his fellow players stand. And, Harris like Smith’s “check your feelings at the door” approach.

“It’s been amazing,” Harris said. “I feel like once you do bring some new faces on campus, it just naturally pushes that competitive nature within the room. Everybody’s constantly pushing each other to do extra work. Just making sure that we’re all in here making sure that we’re ready for Saturdays

“Because, we understand that we’re a question mark, that people wonder how the young corners are going to do on Saturdays. So, the only thing we can worry about is the little details. Don’t feed into the outside talking. We just work.”

Harris looks forward to continuing to grow at Penn State

Penn State coach James Franklin said Tuesday that Harris is “comfortable here, and is showing consistent signs that he’s going to be able to help us this year.” The cornerback showcases the former just by how easily he talks about his new surroundings. Saturday’s Blue-White game will offer him the first chance to display his skills in front of Lions fans. He looks forward to it, but also knows that much work remains regardless of how well the spring scrimmage goes to be ready for the 2024 season.

“It’s bigger than football,” Harris said. “They’re gonna develop me as a man and truly care for me as a person, which was something that I definitely looked for. And, just the track record speaks for itself. They constantly put somebody in the league as long as you do the right thing up here and you listen to everybody around you.

“For me, right now it’s just understanding that I’m somebody who hasn’t put anything on tape yet. So every day is just a day to get better and get developed. I understand that, right now, I’m just practicing and trying to get ready for those Saturdays. So, everything is just about the little details and making sure that I’m as detailed as possible in all my work to make sure I’m ready for those Saturdays.”