Penn State Football: Breaking Down Nittany Lions’ Transfer Portal Wish List

With wide receiver Julian Fleming and kicker Chase Meyer officially on board out of the transfer portal for Penn State Football in 2024, the Nittany Lions are off to a good start to a pivotal transfer portal class, filling two key holes on the roster.

If Penn State wants to compete in the new Big Ten and challenge for a spot in the inaugural 12 team playoff, however, there are a few more positions of need for both depth and competition for starting positions.

Here is a transfer portal wish list for Penn State to finish out the 2024 roster.

Penn State Football Transfer Portal Wish List, Best Fits

Wide Receiver

At least 1 maybe 2

Yes, Penn State picked up a commitment from Fleming, which is a great start.

But, if Penn State wants to be competitive in the new Big Ten next season, James Franklin and staff needs to bring in at least one more transfer portal wide receiver that can compete for starting reps.

With KeAndre Lambert-Smith’s status unknown for next season, Penn State lacks proven commodities at wide receiver outside of Julian Fleming.

In 2023, the production out of the wide receiver room was down, with quarterback Drew Allar struggling to consistently connect with the wide receivers in the passing game (see the Peach Bowl where Allar went 3 quarters of the game without completing a pass to a wide receiver). If Harrison Wallace III is able to return and stay healthy next season, that would be a boost for the wide receiver corps, but even when healthy, Wallace is far from a proven commodity with only 38 career catches for 501 yards.

New Penn State offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki’s scheme may help alleviate some of this issue, however, it would certainly help to find Allar a couple of proven targets to throw to.

Best WR Fits

Malik Benson, Alabama

Alabama wide receiver Malik Benson is a former JUCO wide receiver with gamebreaking speed out of Kansas. Before landing at Alabama in 2023, Benson was heavily recruited by Andy Kotelnicki while Kotelnicki was at Kansas.

Benson ranked as the number one overall JUCO prospect in 2023, according to 247Sports JUCO rankings. With Kotelnicki’s familiarity with Benson and Benson’s game changing speed, Benson would be an ideal fit for Penn State in 2024.

Lajohntay Wester, FAU

Lajohntay Wester is an extremely productive and experienced wide receiver out of Florida Atlantic that has one year of eligibility remaining.

In 2023, Wester caught 108 passes for 1,168 yards and eight touchdowns and has 252 career receptions for 2,703 receiving yards and 21 receiving touchdowns. In addition, Wester added 14 punt returns for 278 yards and a touchdown in 2023 for the Owls.

While the jump from Florida Atlantic to the Big Ten could have some growing pains, Wester clearly has the talent and experience to help elevate the Penn State wide receiver room in 2024.

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Offensive Tackle

Penn State Football will enter 2024 having lost both starting tackles from 2023 with Caedan Wallace and Olu Fashanu declaring for the 2024 NFL draft.

Junior Drew Shelton can be penciled in to the starting spot at left tackle, after starting five games as a freshman in 2022 and playing the role of Penn State’s third tackle this season.

On the right side, Penn State likes what it has in Anthony Donkoh who got an extended look at right tackle during the Peach Bowl. JB Nelson also has experience at tackle, but will likely stay inside and start at guard next season. If Penn State could bring in an offensive tackle to compete with Donkoh and fellow freshman Jven Williams, it could go a long way to bolster offensive line depth heading into 2024.

Best Offensive Tackle Fit

Nolan Rucci, Wisconsin

What more is left to say about Rucci at this point to Penn State fans?

The former number one prospect in Pennsylvania in 2021 has entered the transfer portal out of Wisconsin after playing in six games over two seasons for the Badgers.

Rucci would be another huge pickup for James Franklin after seeing Rucci leave during the 2021 class.

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Cornerback

At the start of the 2024 season, Penn State will be without its top three cornerbacks from the 2023 season after draft declarations from Johnny Dixon, Kalen King, and Daequan Hardy.

Ole Miss exposed Penn State’s inexperience at cornerback heading into 2024 in the Peach Bowl, as sophomore Cam Miller and freshmen Zion Tracy and Elliot Washington were thrust into key roles after late opt outs from Dixon and King.

While Penn State Football has plenty of young talent at the position, the Lions should look for another cornerback in the transfer portal to bolster competition at the position.

Best Cornerback Fits

AJ Harris, Georgia

While Harris lacks much experience after only recording eight tackles in limited playing time during his true freshman season in 2023, the former five-star cornerback would add another player with an extremely high ceiling to Terry Smith’s room in 2024.

Out of high school, Harris held 37 offers (including an offer from Penn State) and ranked 27th overall in the country as the number two cornerback recruit according to 247Sports. As a transfer, Harris again ranks as the number two cornerback and the number seven overall player in the portal.

Harris would be a home run pickup for Penn State out of the portal and elevate Penn State’s cornerback room in 2024.

Tony Grimes, Texas A&M

Former five-star cornerback Tony Grimes had a great relationship with Penn State cornerbacks coach Terry Smith before reclassifying and committing to North Carolina in 2020.

Now, after stops at North Carolina and Texas A&M, Grimes is back in the transfer portal and visiting Penn State this week.

In three seasons, Grimes has tallied 97 tackles, one sack, one forced fumble, and one interception. Grimes would give Penn State’s 2024 cornerback room experience that Harris and the young cornerbacks at Penn State do not have that would be invaluable for a 2024 run.

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While James Franklin said Penn State is “not a big transfer portal team,” he certainly has been aggressive in the portal this month.

With two commitments already on board, Penn State fans can expect at least a few more fireworks to bolster the Nittany Lions 2024 roster.

MORE: Grading James Franklin’s First Decade at Penn State

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