How Penn State football’s new transfer additions can impact the program in 2024

Penn State has made six additions to its roster for the spring semester, including three players who were five-star recruits coming out of high school.

Let’s break down how the six new Nittany Lions can impact the program.

WR Julian Fleming

Fleming might only have one year of eligibility remaining, but he may have the biggest impact of any portal addition in 2024. The former Ohio State wide receiver was a five-star recruit when he was at high school in Pennsylvania and, while he didn’t live up to that billing as a Buckeye, still has a chance to be a true No. 1 option.

He is a very good, but not great, route runner who can create separation on his own, something Penn State struggled mightily with in 2023. He’s a strong, physical receiver who will compete in contested catch situations downfield, making him more of a downfield threat despite his lack of elite speed. His strong hands should make him a reliable option and all of that combined makes him the clear top receiver on the Penn State roster.

That doesn’t even account for some of the things he brings that the Nittany Lions desperately need — leadership and run blocking ability. The latter may not seem like a big deal, but the position lacked it last year and having it from the leader of the group sets the example for the rest of the receivers to follow. Fleming has a legitimate chance to finish with over 1,000 receiving yards in 2024 and set the tone for a position that lacked a positive identity.

OT Nolan Rucci

Rucci brings the same recruiting pedigree that Fleming does as a former five-star recruit, but also brings less certainty in what he’ll do as a Nittany Lion. The Pennsylvania native started just one game at Wisconsin — the team’s bowl game this year against LSU. He continues to possess everything that made him an elite recruit in the first place, though, giving reason to believe he can reach his upside.

He is a tall, long, athletic offensive tackle who moves well, even if it’s inefficiently. The 6-foot-8, 300-pounder’s footwork will likely be a point of emphasis for offensive line coach Phil Trautwein over Rucci’s final two years of eligibility. He has plenty of room to grow from that standpoint and if he does, it could be a determining factor in the level of impact he makes as a Nittany Lion. As a spring enrollee he’ll have a strong chance to get acclimated and coached up by Trautwein, giving the program plenty of time to evaluate him and make improvements. His traits alone will give him a chance to play, but developing further could put him in position to start at one of Penn State’s two tackle spots in 2024.

CB A.J. Harris

Harris is the last of the three five-star recruits, but his high school ranking carries a little more weight. That’s because he was a member of Georgia’s 2023 recruiting class, and will only be a sophomore this season. He has a chance to come in right away and make an impact and have that carry beyond the 2024 season.

The 6-foot-1 cornerback brings size and length to the cornerback room and should be one of the most physical and competitive players in the room right away. Harris is strong in press coverage, using his hands to redirect wide receivers and impact the offense’s timing. He could be the type of corner Penn State puts on the opponent’s best receiver as a lockdown player on the outside. He’ll have a chance to compete to start immediately and even if he doesn’t, Harris should be in the cornerback rotation from day one.

CB Jalen Kimber

Kimber, like Harris, spent time at Georgia, but has much more on-field college experience. He’s entering his fifth college season, with his first two with the Bulldogs and his last two with the Florida Gators. While he didn’t play much in his first stop, he played in 25 games at Florida, including making 11 starts in 2023. His experience will help an inexperienced room at Penn State and he should also see early playing time. Kimber is an excellent athlete who hasn’t yet turned that into elite production at corner.

He should be able to make a leap under cornerbacks coach Terry Smith at Penn State, with reason to believe there’s more to tap into with Kimber because of how athletic he is. That should show in 2024, and could potentially in 2025 as well if he decides to use his final year of eligibility.

K Chase Meyer

Meyer is entering his third year of college football, with his first coming in-state at Penn and his second coming at Tulsa. He was primarily used on kickoffs as a freshman before spending time as a full-time kicker with the Golden Hurricanes. He made 17 of his 20 field goal attempts and connecting on 30 of his 31 extra points.

His only field goal misses all came from 30+ yards. Meyer will likely be competing with kickers Sander Sahaydak and Ryan Barker for field goal duties and punter Gabriel Nwosu for the role of kickoff specialist.

DE Jordan Mayer

Mayer returns to his home state of Pennsylvania after spending one season at Wisconsin. He was listed as a linebacker with the Badgers but is a defensive end for Penn State. Mayer did not play during his first year in college, taking a redshirt and giving him four years of eligibility remaining. It’s unlikely he cracks the defensive end rotation for the Nittany Lions this season, but could factor in down the road if he continues to develop physically.