Penn State Transfers: Five Players Who Could Make an Immediate Impact in 2012

All, College Football, Penn State Scandal Ty Duffy July 23rd. 2012, 10:16am

Penn State received a de facto death penalty. Players can transfer freely. The NCAA is considering waiving the 85-man scholarship limit. Here is a look at five experienced players who could attract a lot of interest, should they decide to hit the free agent market.

Silas Redd [Junior - Running Back] Redd is one of the top returning tailbacks in the Big Ten, with a combination of power and speed. He was at full healthy for a five-game stretch in October last year, and led the country with 720 yards over that span.

Gerald Hodges [Senior - Linebacker] Hodges decided to return for his senior season after a first-team All-Big Ten season last year. He had 106 tackles and 10 tackles for loss last year. Potential high round draft pick in 2013.

Jordan Hill [Senior - Defensive Tackle] Devon Still overshadowed him last season, but he’s a talented and experienced 300-pound defensive tackle. He can play both line positions in a 4-3. He had 59 tackles and eight tackles for loss last year. USC? Michigan? He would have suitors.

Michael Mauti [Senior - Linebacker] Talented, hard-working and makes an impact when he sees the field. The trouble has been staying on the field. He’s had torn ACLs in both knees during his Penn State career, though he’s expected to be healthy next season. Definitely worth a shot for a one-year college commitment.

Anthony Fera [Senior - Kicker/Punter] Problems on Special Teams? Fera was a Groza-award semifinalist as a place-kicker. He was second-team All-Big Ten as a punter. He also does kickoffs.

[Photo via Getty]

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44 Responses to “Penn State Transfers: Five Players Who Could Make an Immediate Impact in 2012”

1
Jim Harbaugh Scramble Says:
July 23rd, 2012 at 10:19 AM
Anthony Fera
turned his back on Michigan to play for PSU, with his brand of loyalty I’m sure he’ll be one of the first transfers.
2
Roethlishotdog Says:
July 23rd, 2012 at 10:23 AM
I’d be highly surprised if any of them (save for Fera) leave. I think the bigger issue will be the decommits from this year’s (and next’s) recruiting classes, as the bowl ban will prevent them from ever seeing the postseason.
3
The Wayne Fontes Safari Says:
July 23rd, 2012 at 10:23 AM
USC? Michigan? He would have suitors.
Nah, just let Pipkins start as a true freshman.
4
johndewar Says:
July 23rd, 2012 at 10:23 AM
Michael Mauti
Mauti’s dad was a PSU alum/football player, which makes him a lifer. Doubtful he’s going anywhere.
5
46yearslump Says:
July 23rd, 2012 at 10:36 AM
I’d be highly surprised if any of them (save for Fera) leave. I think the bigger issue will be the decommits from this year’s (and next’s) recruiting classes, as the bowl ban will prevent them from ever seeing the postseason.
This. The punishment wasn’t designed to destroy the team this year, but it certainly was designed to cripple them for years to come. O’Brien should be on the phone with Bob Kraft / Bill Belichick looking for his old job.
6
tedkerwin Says:
July 23rd, 2012 at 10:37 AM
I don’t doubt some players will stay out of a sense of loyalty, but this is the type of thing that changes the way you think about the institution, PSU Alum/Lifers might be willing to make a break depending on their personal anger/outrage
7
Rat Face Krzyzewski Says:
July 23rd, 2012 at 10:40 AM
Roeth – I agree. I can’t see any seniors or juniors for that matter leaving the program now. Besides the incomming commits, you also have to be concerned about the sophmores and redshirt freshmen who have no reason to stay with a new coaching staff and no chance of playing postseason games.
8
AssaultWithAConcreteDildo Says:
July 23rd, 2012 at 10:41 AM
I wouldn’t take a senior player who wanted to transfer; if I wanted a mercenary I’d just pay players.
9
molemaninthemorning Says:
July 23rd, 2012 at 10:42 AM
Watching Breaking Bad, god Mike is such a badass.
10
Rat Face Krzyzewski Says:
July 23rd, 2012 at 10:43 AM
Also, this further proves my point that O’Brien was just a temporary hire to get through whatever sanctions were coming and be the forgettable first coach after Paterno. PSU’s NEXT coaching hire will be extremely important and they have several years to start putting their list together.
11
Liquor Says:
July 23rd, 2012 at 10:44 AM
Penn State received a de facto death penalty
Really? We still playing football and I swear no one has been paying attention, we’ve generally sucked for 13 years now.
The official school motto will get us through these tough times, “Win or Lose, We Still Booze.”
12
ms621 Says:
July 23rd, 2012 at 10:44 AM
This. The punishment wasn’t designed to destroy the team this year, but it certainly was designed to cripple them for years to come.
Just like USC….wait, bad example.
13
johndewar Says:
July 23rd, 2012 at 10:48 AM
O’Brien should be on the phone with Bob Kraft / Bill Belichick looking for his old job.
O’Brien is in an no-lose situation here.
If he’s unsuccessful, no one will pin it in on him, because of the sanctions, etc.
If he’s successful, he becomes a coaching candidate pretty much anywhere he wants to go, NFL or college.
14
VladimirCrouton Says:
July 23rd, 2012 at 10:49 AM
Just like USC….wait, bad example.
Such a sick recruiting class this year.
15
johndewar Says:
July 23rd, 2012 at 10:49 AM
Watching Breaking Bad, god Mike is such a badass.
I enjoyed the part about where he used to be a cop.
/don’t want to spoil it
16
ButtersBC Says:
July 23rd, 2012 at 10:49 AM
Watching Breaking Bad, god Mike is such a badass
He owned that episode, glad to see him get one almost entirely to himself, can’t remember if that’s happened before
17
spencer096 Says:
July 23rd, 2012 at 10:49 AM
He’s had torn ACLs in both knees during his Penn State career, though he’s expected to be healthy next season.
a penn state tradition unlike any other*.
*because it doesn’t involve fucking kids like all their other traditions
18
spencer096 Says:
July 23rd, 2012 at 10:50 AM
Watching Breaking Bad, god Mike is such a badass
He owned that episode, glad to see him get one almost entirely to himself, can’t remember if that’s happened before
cannot agree more.
19
johndewar Says:
July 23rd, 2012 at 10:50 AM
PSU Alum/Lifers might be willing to make a break depending on their personal anger/outrage
Maybe. But I wouldn’t bet money on this.
20
sousedbergin Says:
July 23rd, 2012 at 10:51 AM
I would differ to PSU pederast enabler apologists but I think Silas Redd is a fantastic player. Great vision, open field runner with speed and great run after contact. Why wouldn’t he transfer? His top 5 schools when recruited were Boston College, Connecticut, Rutgers, Stanford, Virginia. Transfer to Standford brah, it’s sunny and they don’t help children get raped there.
21
johndewar Says:
July 23rd, 2012 at 10:51 AM
He owned that episode, glad to see him get one almost entirely to himself, can’t remember if that’s happened before
From next week’s previews, it looks like he’s going to have a much bigger part of the plot this season.
22
sousedbergin Says:
July 23rd, 2012 at 10:53 AM
Standford? I am still drunk.
/Checks watch to see how long this drunk will last
//Not wearing watch
///Going to lunch at 11am
23
ms621 Says:
July 23rd, 2012 at 10:54 AM
I feel like one aspect should be clarified: this is not like the Death Penalty at all. And moreover, it was not the Death Penalty which crippled SMU so badly for so many years. In the first year after the Death Penalty, as Forrest Gregg, legend, was restarting the program, the new University President Kenneth Pye, bowing to faculty pressure, forced through a new rule which prevented the coaching staff from recruiting prospects if their GPA and test scores were below a certain level. This automatically eliminated a large chunk of the best athletic prospects in the country. Gregg and his coaches couldn’t even invite them to campus for a visit. Those recruiting restrictions were in place until June Jones’ first year in 2008 and are the reason that SMU suffered so horribly in the aftermath of the Death Penalty.
So long as Penn State’s administration does not adapt a similar slate of recruiting restrictions, they will recover from this in a few short years.
24
angry Says:
July 23rd, 2012 at 10:55 AM
Iowa could sure use the services of a Silas Redd.
25
molemaninthemorning Says:
July 23rd, 2012 at 10:58 AM
I don’t like this Lydia broad one bit.
26
spencer096 Says:
July 23rd, 2012 at 11:00 AM
I don’t like this Lydia broad one bit.
oh no…seems funny that she wanted the 11 dead for being weak links when she’s the biggest chink in the armor as liaison between the manufacturing and executive sides.
27
ohheelyeah Says:
July 23rd, 2012 at 11:01 AM
Oh gosh, remember this? Wonder if ABCSPN wishes they could get a mulligan on this one
/Brandi Carlile can get it
//she’s not a fan of dongs, though
28
kaiserwilhelmreems is commenting too quickly Says:
July 23rd, 2012 at 11:01 AM
Watching Breaking Bad, god Mike is such a badass.
i’ve noticed that the audience’s perception of Walt is guided entirely by what Skylar knows about her husband. the less she knew, the less dangerous he was portrayed to the audience.
29
cassino Says:
July 23rd, 2012 at 11:05 AM
My problem with last nights Breaking Bad was that they literally fucked up everything about AED’s in the opening scene except for that they deliver electricity. Every goddamn thing. Like, if you don’t know how something works, don’t write about it, or ask someone who does. Makes it hard to suspend my disbelief.
30
KC Resident Says:
July 23rd, 2012 at 11:07 AM
He owned that episode, glad to see him get one almost entirely to himself, can’t remember if that’s happened before
http://www.rollingstone.com/movies/news/q-a-breaking-bad-star-jonathan-banks-on-mikes-turmoil-20120723
31
molemaninthemorning Says:
July 23rd, 2012 at 11:09 AM
So clearly Walt rapes her to death right?
32
kaiserwilhelmreems is commenting too quickly Says:
July 23rd, 2012 at 11:10 AM
[Gravatar image]
My problem with last nights Breaking Bad was that they literally fucked up everything about AED’s in the opening scene except for that they deliver electricity. Every goddamn thing. Like, if you don’t know how something works, don’t write about it, or ask someone who does. Makes it hard to suspend my disbelief.
i get what you’re saying, it’s a pretty minor issue though. They just had to find some way to show how desperate this guy was and jumping out a window was probably too cliche.
33
golfercraig Says:
July 23rd, 2012 at 11:13 AM
I feel like one aspect should be clarified: this is not like the Death Penalty at all. And moreover, it was not the Death Penalty which crippled SMU so badly for so many years. In the first year after the Death Penalty, as Forrest Gregg, legend, was restarting the program, the new University President Kenneth Pye, bowing to faculty pressure, forced through a new rule which prevented the coaching staff from recruiting prospects if their GPA and test scores were below a certain level. This automatically eliminated a large chunk of the best athletic prospects in the country. Gregg and his coaches couldn’t even invite them to campus for a visit. Those recruiting restrictions were in place until June Jones’ first year in 2008 and are the reason that SMU suffered so horribly in the aftermath of the Death Penalty.
So long as Penn State’s administration does not adapt a similar slate of recruiting restrictions, they will recover from this in a few short years.
To be fair, this is TBL–knowledge of the situation is a distant second to instant dipshittery.
34
ms621 Says:
July 23rd, 2012 at 11:14 AM
dipshittery.
I like this and I will be re-using it.
35
MP III Says:
July 23rd, 2012 at 11:14 AM
i gave up on breaking bad after season one because it was boring as hell. looks like i made the wrong call.
36
Jason McIntyre Says:
July 23rd, 2012 at 11:19 AM
I feel like one aspect should be clarified: this is not like the Death Penalty at all. And moreover, it was not the Death Penalty which crippled SMU so badly for so many years. In the first year after the Death Penalty, as Forrest Gregg, legend, was restarting the program, the new University President Kenneth Pye, bowing to faculty pressure, forced through a new rule which prevented the coaching staff from recruiting prospects if their GPA and test scores were below a certain level. This automatically eliminated a large chunk of the best athletic prospects in the country. Gregg and his coaches couldn’t even invite them to campus for a visit. Those recruiting restrictions were in place until June Jones’ first year in 2008 and are the reason that SMU suffered so horribly in the aftermath of the Death Penalty.
So long as Penn State’s administration does not adapt a similar slate of recruiting restrictions, they will recover from this in a few short years.
To be fair, this is TBL–knowledge of the situation is a distant second to instant dipshittery.
that sure is dipshittery. Among the many college football pundits weighing in today, Herbstreit and Cowherd just discussed whether or not the team would recover from this in 10 years. recovering in a “few short years” is unlikely.
37
spencer096 Says:
July 23rd, 2012 at 11:20 AM
recovering in a “few short years” is unlikely.
it’s just crazy to think that penn state will have 60 scholarship football players at the end of that recruiting cycle…crazy.
38
ms621 Says:
July 23rd, 2012 at 11:22 AM
that sure is dipshittery. Among the many college football pundits weighing in today, Herbstreit and Cowherd just discussed whether or not the team would recover from this in 10 years. recovering in a “few short years” is unlikely.
Well so much for that.
Are you completely of the existence of USC?
For fuck’s sake. It’s like you’re not even trying.
39
ms621 Says:
July 23rd, 2012 at 11:25 AM
I mean, certainly you can see the difference, Jason, between a school that has scholarship restrictions for a few years and a school who refuses to even recruit players of a certain caliber for nearly 20 years….please tell me you see the difference between the two. You went to college, I have faith that you are able to undertake compare and contrast exercises.
40
Wide Word of Sport (?) Says:
July 23rd, 2012 at 11:29 AM
hey literally fucked up everything about AED’s in the opening scene except for that they deliver electricity.
This. Unless your tongue happens to go into vfib, that machine isn’t delivering a shock without a LOT of manipulation.
PS: They are really easy to use and foolproof, and most talk to you and tell you what to do. If you are ever in a situation where you might need to use one on someone, don’t hesitate because a TV show made you think you might kill someone/yourself.
41
Wide Word of Sport (?) Says:
July 23rd, 2012 at 11:31 AM
You went to college, I have faith that you are able to undertake compare and contrast exercises.
Why don’t you start your own damn blog telling us how…
42
ms621 Says:
July 23rd, 2012 at 11:32 AM
I’ve taken this over into the next post WWoS. I’m waiting for further name calling over there.
43
Glass Yard Dog Says:
July 23rd, 2012 at 11:35 AM
PSU simply does not have the cache (or the recruiting ability) of USC. And the crime was not nearly the same. Giving Reggie Bush a car doesn’t stop parents from sending their kids to USC. Raping children in the locker room (and the guilt by association) will keep parents from sending their kids to PSU.
PSU may end up looking like a team of former alumni’s kids and a couple of walkons.
44
ms621 Says:
July 23rd, 2012 at 11:38 AM
Comment 43 is a reasonable, thoughtful response. I don’t happen to agree with it in full, but Jason you are capable of writing something like that rather than resorting to name calling and then regurgitating what others have said today (because instant analysis is never wrong…)