USC football faces Indiana this season. Nittany Lions Wire looked at a new Hoosier who transferred from Penn State: AJ Harris.
“Here is a familiar name for Penn State fans scouting the Indiana Hoosiers. A.J. Harris transferred to Bloomington from Happy Valley this offseason, although it remains to be seen if he will fill a starting role in the Indiana secondary at the start of the 2026 season. Harris is coming off a season of honorable All-Big Ten accolades with 33 tackles and 1 TFL. Harris joined the Penn State program after transferring from Georgia and immediately became a starter in the defensive secondary with the Nittany Lions.”
Much of the attention paid to Indiana football under Curt Cignetti has flowed to the defensive line. That’s where Indiana has planted its flag and established a new identity as a team which won’t be pushed around and will, in fact, dictate how opponents play. However, the Indiana secondary wasn’t exactly chopped liver last season. AJ Harris is one of several very capable performers in Indiana’s back line of defense who will challenge USC’s receivers.
The Trojans need to make splash plays to beat the Hoosiers. They have to be able to move the ball in 30-yard chunks. It will be a challenge to drive 80 yards in 14 plays against Indiana’s defense. USC will have to go over the top at some point. It won’t be easy to achieve that fundamental goal on a consistent basis. AJ Harris is someone Lincoln Riley and Jayden Maiava have to account for.
This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: The overlooked member of Indiana’s defense when Hoosiers play USC
Reporting by Matt Zemek, Trojans Wire / Trojans Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Matt Zemek, Trojans Wire | USA TODAY Network
