Silas Redd: Penn State Star RB Will Transfer to USC
Rumors concerning Silas Redd's status in Happy Valley have swirled since the NCAA announced its harsh sanctions on July 23.
According to ESPN's Joe Schad, Silas Redd has decided make the cross-country trek to Southern California.
Silas Redd to USC. Official.
— Joe Schad (@schadjoe) July 31, 2012
The decision comes after meeting with Lane Kiffin in Connecticut on Thursday. Kiffin coveted Redd's tough running and his experience. The Trojans have seven running backs on their current roster (Redd makes eight), but only five of them have a collegiate carry.
Redd will compete immediately with Curtis McNeal for carries in the Trojan backfield. Redd is coming off a 1,200-yard, seven-touchdown season. His two years of experience in a college backfield will go a long way toward USC's BCS National Championship run.
As much as this move helps Kiffin and the Trojans, it severely hurts Penn State. He was, without a doubt, its No. 1 offensive option and arguably the best player it had on either side of the ball.
The loss of Redd will cripple Bill O'Brien's offense. He would have been counted on to carry the bulk of the load because of Matt McGloin's below-average quarterback play. Without Redd the Nittany Lions will struggle to score any points against their rugged Big Ten opponents.
Many Penn State players have elected to ride things out in Happy Valley, but Redd was the one player they couldn't afford to lose. He's a dynamic, NFL-caliber ball-carrier who would have thrived as the focal point of their attack this season.
It's hard to blame Redd here. He would have gotten plenty of exposure with Penn State and his NFL draft stock wouldn't have been hurt, but the chance to play postseason football is also important.
Redd will get the best of both worlds under Kiffin. He's going to get plenty of carries, and he has a very good chance of hoisting college football's ultimate trophy at the end of last season.
His loss is just one blow to Penn State's depth chart, but it's massive nonetheless.
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