Silas Redd: Running Back Is Better off Remaining in Happy Valley

Rumors concerning the future of Penn State's current players have been flying left and right, but none bear the importance of Silas Redd's decision between the Nittany Lions and the USC Trojans.

Redd's decision certainly won't be easy, but Happy Valley is the only destination he should call home next season. This has nothing to do with the welfare of Penn State's program, or any negative connotations attached to their way of life. It has everything to do with Redd and his ultimate goal.

He's an NFL talent. There's no doubt about that, and Penn State's current situation will do nothing to diminish that. Good players get attention anywhere. Redd's NFL stock isn't going to plummet because of the status of the Nittany Lion program. 

So why uproot yourself as a junior in college? Take it from a current college student. It would be a tremendous adjustment, especially when you consider the distance between the northeastern part of the country and Southern California. 

He wouldn't just be changing football jerseys. In this situation, of course, that's what everyone is going to look at first, but it's more than that. Redd has developed a certain level of comfort in his current home, and it shows on the field. Changing locations could damage that. 

This can be looked at from a football perspective as well. Redd is the unquestioned starter in Happy Valley. He's the best player on their offense and one of the Big Ten's best ball-carriers.

He may not get those opportunities with the Trojans. He would, at least, face stiff competition from Curtis McNeal on the USC depth chart, but it could be even worse than that. If he fails to adjust to Lane Kiffin's system, or the scenery isn't right, he could be buried beneath multiple names in the backfield. 

That would severely damage his NFL stock. First and foremost Redd must ensure his playing time if he wants to play on Sundays. Penn State's sanctions will keep Redd from participating in postseason action, but an upperclassmen must be looking toward the next level.

A large group of Penn State's players announced their intentions to stay on Wednesday:

Redd should join his teammates in Beaver Stadium for one final season. After that he should take his talents to the NFL Draft and find himself a new home. 

Transferring isn't easy. It requires a major adjustment in some cases, and Redd's would for sure. Not only would he be in another part of the country, but he would be adjusting to his third different playbook in three years.

Penn State can't do much for Redd's bowl aspirations, but they can still help his professional career. They can still offer him exposure, playing time and plenty of touches in Bill O'Brien's offense.