How many players have bailed out of the program?
Nine players from last year’s team have transferred to other schools, taking advantage of the NCAA’s decision to suspend rules intended to discourage such moves. (Transfers normally have to sit out a season, but the NCAA is allowing them to play right away for other programs because of the extraordinary circumstances.)
The mostly highly regarded player to leave is junior running back Silas Redd, a starter last year who rushed for more than 1,200 yards. He’s gone to Southern Cal. Other players in the Penn State diaspora have taken their talents to LSU, Cal, Florida State, and other schools. Illinois, which lured away offensive tackle Ryan Nowicki, sent eight assistants to State College looking to land transfers, according to Sports Illustrated. Besides established players, some recruits who had pledged to Penn State decommited.
