Former 5-star recruit that was labeled as a first-round talent plans to transfer and he has a connection to new Vols DC Jim Knowles
The Tennessee Vols should have plenty of transfer options to choose from this offseason.
A former five-star recruit who has a connection to new Tennessee Vols defensive coordinator Jim Knowles is reportedly entering the NCAA transfer portal.
According to On3’s Pete Nakos, Penn State cornerback AJ Harris is planning to enter the transfer portal when it opens on Jan. 2.
Harris started his college career at Georgia before transferring to Penn State ahead of the 2024 season. The Alabama native played under Knowles at Penn State last season.
AJ Harris was viewed as a first-round talent before the 2025 season
Harris had a terrific season at Penn State in 2024, totaling 48 tackles, one interception, and five passes defensed.
ESPN listed Harris as a first-round pick in a mock draft last summer.
“Harris has shown ball-hawking skills and loves to press and jam receivers,” wrote ESPN’s Matt Miller in June. “He’s still a bit green, having started only one season, but last season’s tape — along with Penn State’s track record in developing defenders — makes Harris one of the most promising corners in the country.”
Harris, who started 26 games for the Nittany Lions over the last two seasons, didn’t perform quite as well in 2025, totaling 33 tackles in 11 games. He was benched during Penn State’s loss to Northwestern, but he returned to the starting lineup in the next game.
As for the connection to Knowles, Harris told The Daily Collegian in September that he liked his fit in Knowles’ defense.
“(Knowles) allows me to look at the quarterback,” said Harris. “I could still play my press man. I feel like I could still kind of showcase everything that I do…There’ll come a time when I could showcase my talents, and I’ll just let that take care of itself.”
Additionally, Harris is a terrific athlete, as evidenced by his inclusion on 247Sports’ “freaks list” in 2023.
“AJ Harris had the third-highest vertical jump at The Opening Finals back in 2021 as he launched 40.2 inches in the air right before his junior season,” wrote Andrew Ivins in 2023. “That’s certainly notable, but so is his 4.54 in the 40-yard dash and his 21.9 MPH mark on a Catapult GPS tracking system. Harris is a military brat who was born in California and spent most of his childhood in Germany, where he grew up playing basketball and soccer. He’s a corner by trade, but he’s also a dangerous return man who’s scored eight times on special teams over the course of his prep career.”
Tennessee is expected to go into the 2026 season with Rickey Gibson and Ty Redmond as the program’s starting cornerbacks.
Harris, however, could be a player to keep an eye on. He’s clearly an elite talent, and he has valuable experience in Knowles’ defense.
A.J. Harris Background, Stats — Should Tennessee pursue him?
- Harris was a 5-star recruit who went to Central Phenix City High School in Alabama. He originally played one season for the Georgia Bulldogs before transfering to Penn State.
- AJ Harris 2024 Stats: 48 total tackles, five passes defended, one interception
- AJ Harris 2025 Stats: 33 total tackles, one pass defended, zero interceptions
- Was positioned as a first-round pick before the 2025 season, but fell down draft boards after an average campaign in 2025. Was benched for one game before returning to the lineup.
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