Linebacker Fortt latest of Penn State players to transfer
Khairi Fortt, who was expected to challenge Glenn Carson for Penn State's starting middle linebacker job, reportedly has announced he is transferring to California.
Five days before the start of pre-season practice, Penn State has seen more players leave a program that was clobbered with heavy sanctions by the NCAA because of the Jerry Sandusky scandal.
Junior tailback Silas Redd was the most significant player to leave, having announced Tuesday that he will be heading to Southern California. But reports Wednesday have disclosed the departure of two other players and the final destinations of two more.
The Stamford Advocate said junior Khairi Fortt, who was expected to battle Glenn Carson in camp for the starting job at middle linebacker, is going to California, a school he visited last weekend.
"This is what's right for me and my family," Fortt told the newspaper. The way you go through life is the way you handle adversity. Some people have different paths."
Fortt sat out much of spring practice with a knee injury, and underwent surgery in late April
Also, former West Deptford High star Jamil Pollard, a defensive tackle who was to start his first year with the Nittany Lions, will be transferring to Rutgers, his high school coach told the News of Cumberland County.
As for quarterback Rob Bolden, Penn State's opening-day starter the last two seasons, the New Orleans Times-Picayune said the junior will be at LSU for Wednesday's first day of pre-season. Bolden visited the Tigers over the weekend.
It also was reported that backup tight end Kevin Haplea, a junior, would be heading to Florida State.
With reserve free safety Tim Buckley having transferred to North Carolina State, six players have departed from Penn State since the announced on July 23 of sanctions against Penn State that included a four-year bowl ban and a reduction in scholarships.
In imposing the penalties, the NCAA said any player could transfer from Penn State to another school without having to sit out a year.
Three other Penn State players who have talked with other schools about transferring are junior punter/kicker Anthony Fera, sophomore linebacker Mike Hull and junior running back Curtis Dukes. They have not made their decisions known as yet.
The Lions open pre-season camp on Monday.