Penn State Football Adds Harvard Lineman Out of Transfer Portal

Penn State football continues to address areas of need through the transfer portal, as Harvard offensive lineman Eric Wilson announced his intentions on Wednesday morning.

The 6-foot-4, 280-pound guard comes to Penn State after having sat out the 2020 season due to the fact the Ivy League did not compete as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. That said, Wilson did play in 10 games during the 2018 and 2019 seasons, earning All-Ivy League honors in the process during his most recent campaign.

“A lot can happen in a few months, especially in 2020,” Wilson said on Twitter. “Unexpected changes have led me to commit to Penn State where I will play for the Nittany Lions as a grad transfer next year. Looking forward to getting to Happy Valley and working with [Penn State offensive line coach Phil Trautwein].”

Functionally Wilson comes to Penn State to answer a need on the interior of the Nittany Lions’ offensive line following the departure of CJ Thorpe to the transfer portal and the graduation of longtime center Michal Menet. It’s uncertain where exactly Wilson will ultimately fit into the mix with the return of Juice Scruggs as well as Mike Miranda, but the newest Nittany Lion seems certain to find a big role on the offensive front no matter how it shakes out. Either way, Wilson will have the unique challenge of knocking off the rust after over a year away from playing football.

Wilson will enroll later this summer but is set to join four other transfer portal additions Penn State has picked up this offseason as James Franklin and his staff take advantage of the new immediate eligibility rules for transfers. Penn State has already added and enrolled defensive lineman Derrick Tangelo and Arnold Ebitketie as well as cornerback John Dixon and running back John Lovett.