Written by: TJ Inman
2024 Stats – 48 tackles including 28 solo and four tackles for loss with five passes broken up
2025 Stats – 33 tackles including 25 solo and 1 tackle for loss with one pass broken up
The Indiana Hoosiers took another important step towards reloading in the defensive secondary as they landed talented Penn State cornerback A.J. Harris from the transfer portal. Harris joins Wisconsin safety Preston Zachman, Cincinnati safety Jiquan Sanks and Montana State cornerback Carson Williams as the portal additions to the secondary. A.J. Harris is a 6’1” prospect that was a five-star recruit in the 2023 class and he played in seven games for the Georgia Bulldogs as a true freshman. He transferred to Penn State for the 2024 season and was named All-Big Ten Third Team as a sophomore and then All-Big Ten Honorable Mention as a junior this past season. Harris’ best season was undoubtedly 2024 and he regressed a bit in 2025 but the Nittany Lions were a bit of a mess and that could have impacted his performance negatively. He has appeared in 34 games and started 26 games in the Big Ten with Penn State.
A.J. Harris was reportedly considering several big schools with Oregon and Indiana out front but after a Zoom call with the IU coaching staff, the Hoosiers became his clear choice. With D’Angelo Ponds expected to head to the NFL Draft after the National Championship Game against Miami, Harris will join an IU cornerback room that features returning starter Jamari Sharpe along with a group of talented youngsters like Jaylen Bell as well as incoming transfer Carson Williams.
Harris is ranked a top ten cornerback in the transfer portal by nearly every ranking service. Hoosier Huddle will continue to provide coverage of the transfer portal and the upcoming showdown with the Miami Hurricanes with the national title on the line.