Penn State Football: How Many Players Have Transferred or Decommitted?

Michael TierneyJun 7, 2018

The new Penn State coaching staff will have to deal with situation "EXODUS."

Updated: 8-5-12 for Justin Brown and Will Fuller

Updated: 8-7-21 for Zach Bradshaw

Updated: 8-8-12 for Dorian Johnson

On Thursday morning, kicker Anthony Fera became the eighth Penn State player to announce his transfer following NCAA sanctions. In addition, a few prior pledges have de-committed from Penn State.

Penn State coach Bill O'Brien will have to deal with depth issues, but his first job is to stop the departures of top talent.

Here is an update on transferring players.

Silas Redd

1 of 14

Silas Redd

No. 25

Running Back

Junior, 5'10", 209 lbs.

5-star recruit

To: USC

Silas Redd was Penn State's starting running back. His transfer to USC was official on July 31.

Redd, who hails from Connecticut, rushed for more than 1,200 yards and seven touchdowns in 2011.

When USC plays Cal, Redd will meet up with former teammate Khairi Fortt. If USC plays in the national championship, Redd will shake hands with former teammate Rob Bolden before the game.

Khairi Fortt

2 of 14

Khairi Fortt

No.11

Linebacker

Junior, 6'2" 238 lbs.

4-star recruit

To: Cal

Khairi Fortt was Penn State's starting inside linebacker. His transfer to Cal was official on August 1.

Khairi was a U.S. Army All-American and is from Connecticut like former teammate Silas Redd.

When Cal plays at USC this season, Fortt and Redd will be talking about the SoCal weather when they visit before the game. Both Redd and Fortt will see plenty of playing time.

Rob Bolden

3 of 14

Rob Bolden

No. 1

Quarterback

Junior, 6'3", 214 lbs.

4-star recruit

To: LSU

Rob Bolden was Penn State's backup quarterback. His transfer to LSU was official on August 1.

Rob was the first true freshman to start a season opener (at PSU) since 1910. He had 1,360 yards and five touchdowns in 2010 (mostly during the six or seven games that he played in).

If LSU faces USC in the national championship game, Rob Bolden and Silas Redd should shake hands before the game.

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Kevin Haplea

4 of 14

Kevin Haplea

No. 10

Tight End

Junior, 6'4", 248 lbs.

4-star recruit

To: Florida State

Kevin Haplea was Penn State's backup tight end. His transfer to Florida State was official on August 1.

Haplea is a solid lead blocker and played in all 13 games as a sophomore in 2011, including a start against Alabama.

He appeared in 12 games as a true freshman in 2010 and started three of the final four games, including the “Outback Bowl” against Florida.

Tim Buckley

5 of 14

Tim Buckley

No. 13

Safety

Freshman, 6'0", 200 lbs.

Unrated recruit

To: North Carolina State

Tim Buckley was Penn State's backup safety. His transfer to North Carolina State was official on July 30.

Buckley, who was listed as a second-string safety on Penn State’s most recent depth chart, has four years of eligibility remaining.

He was a star running back at Cardinal Gibbons in 2010 and was recruited by N.C. State out of high school. He could run a 4.49 40-yard dash.

DT Jamil Pollard

6 of 14

Jamil Pollard

Defensive Tackle

Freshman, 6'5", 280 lbs.

4-star recruit

To: Rutgers

Jamil Pollard was a Penn State defensive tackle brought in with the class of 2012. His transfer to Rutgers was official on July 31.

Pollard has the ability to play defensive tackle or offensive guard, but most people feel he will end up on the defensive side of the ball.

Especially with all the offensive linemen Rutgers has on their roster.

Ryan Nowicki

7 of 14

Ryan Nowicki

Offensive Tackle

Junior, 6'5", 280 lbs.

3-star recruit

To: Illinois

Ryan Nowicki was a Penn State offensive tackle. His transfer to Illinois was official on August 2.

Nowicki is a former All-Arizona offensive lineman from Glendale, Arizona. So I am surprised that he did not transfer back home, but Illinois was happy to get his transfer.

He will have four years eligibility at Illinois, where he will vie for a starting spot this year.

Anthony Fera

8 of 14

Anthony Fera

No. 30

Kicker

Senior, 6'2", 230 lbs.

3-star recruit

To: Texas

Anthony Fera was a Penn State's kicker. His transfer to Texas was official on August 2.

In 2011, he was selected a Lou Groza Collegiate Placekicker Award semifinalist and a candidate for the Ray Guy Award (top punter).

Fera was selected first-team All-Big Ten punter by ESPN.com and second-team all-conference by the media and coaches

Justin Brown

9 of 14

Justin Brown

No.19

Wide Receiver

Senior, 6'3" 209 lbs.

4-star recruit

To: Oklahoma

Justin Brown was Penn State's starting wide receiver. His transfer to Oklahoma was official on August 5, 2012.

Brown had 1,047 receiving yards in his career at Penn State.

The following is an ESPN blog reporting the story.

Here is another short article: Justin Brown Leaving

Decommitted DT Greg Webb

10 of 14

Greg Webb

Defensive Tackle

High School, 6'3", 290 lbs.

4-star recruit

To: North Carolina

Greg Webb is a 4-star defensive tackle who previously committed to Penn State.

He withdrew his commitment a week ago and gave his verbal to North Carolina.

He was the first recruit who had verbally committed to change his mind about Penn State

Decommitted DB Ross Douglas

11 of 14

Ross Douglas

Cornerback

High School, 5'11" 180 lbs.

4-star recruit

To: Michigan

Ross Douglas is a 4-star defensive back who previously committed to Penn State.

He withdrew his commitment a week ago and gave his verbal to the Michigan Wolverines and became the 23rd prospect in Michigan's 2013 recruiting class

"It was something we decided before (the NCAA's announcement) because my family saw it coming," Douglas said. "We prepared ourselves for it, and [Monday] was just the icing on the cake. I love Penn State to death, but I have to do what's best for me and I'm going to look elsewhere."