James Franklin Says 3 Key Transfers Are Adapting Well at Penn State

Cornerbacks Jalen Kimber and A.J. Harris and offensive lineman Nolan Rucci have made strides during spring drills.

Penn State coach James Franklin talks with cornerback Jalen Kimber during spring football practice in State College. / Max Ralph/AllPennState

Penn State football turns toward the home stretch of spring practice this week, as the Blue-White Game approaches April 13. Coach James Franklin met with the media Tuesday after practice to discuss the team’s progress. Here’s a glimpse at what Franklin had to say.

Meet the transfer cornerbacks

Penn State landed two SEC cornerbacks from the NCAA Transfer Portal, each at different stages of their careers. Jalen Kimber, a fifth-year senior, started 11 games at Florida last season and spent two years at Georgia as well. Sophomore A.J. Harris, meanwhile, played in seven games as a freshman for Georgia. Franklin detailed their similarities and differences.

“One [Kimber] is a veteran who has played a ton of football in a really good conference, and you feel that,” Franklin said. “Just very poised, very mature. He’s a guy I’m really excited to see this summer because he’s got a lot on his plate right now, and I’ve been impressed with him. A.J. is at a different point of his career but has come in and is super aggressive and super confident and is playing really, really well right now. He’s a physical, physical corner. Actually, I think he has the ability to play all five positions: corner, nickel or safety.”

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‘Our guys love him’

Nolan Rucci, another transfer, has entered the competition at offensive tackle. Rucci (6-8, 305 pounds) has put on mass in his short time at Penn State and has assimilated well from Wisconsin.

“We’ve known him and the family for a very long time; mom and dad have been at a ton of practices,” Franklin said of Rucci’s parents Todd and Stacy, who played football and field hockey at Penn State. “In terms of athleticism and body type and all those types of things, he checked a lot of boxes. From my understanding, our guys love him. He’s fit in really well in the room. I think he’s been excited about the development he’s gotten so far in a brief period of time and I think he enjoys the culture, the competitiveness of how we operate and do things. So far, so good.”

Nick Dawkins, center of attention

Dawkins, a fifth-year senior, not only is the likely starting center but also the offense’s vocal leader. Franklin predicted that Dawkins would have a “really good year for us.”

“Nick is just really smart, really charismatic and isn’t afraid to lead by actions and verbally, which you don’t see as much anymore with young men, that they‘re willing to speak up and challenge their teammates,” Franklin said. “He’s able to do that because he holds himself to that standard, which I think everybody respects.”

RELATED: Penn State's offense showing signs of spring growth

A linebacker to watch

With Abdul Carter shifting to defensive end, Penn State needs an athletic linebacker to fill his role. Enter sophomore Tony Rojas, who was among the most active players of Penn State’s freshman class and has position flexibility at linebacker. Franklin also said the 225-pound Rojas has built a frame to play the position. 

“You see it physically; he looks different,” Franklin said. “We want to make sure he has not put on too much weight. He could play both positions [inside and outside linebacker]. He’s intelligent to play [middle linebacker] and physical enough and has enough instincts to play the boundary backer. He’s had a lot of production early on in his career. Obviously we expect it to skyrocket this year, especially with Abdul moving to defensive end.”

AllPennState is the place for Penn State news, opinion and perspective on the SI.com network. Publisher Mark Wogenrich has covered Penn State for more than 20 years, tracking three coaching staffs, three Big Ten titles and a catalog of great stories. Follow him on Twitter @MarkWogenrich.