Penn State football recruit facing criminal charges will not play next season
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Penn State coach Bill O'Brien said that linebacker recruit Zayd Issah, who has been charged for his alleged role in a forgery scheme and with trying to pass counterfeit money, will not play football at Penn State in 2013.
Issah, 18, who starred at Central Dauphin High School in Harrisburg, was arrested March 10 after police said he tried to use counterfeit money to pay for food at a McDonald's restaurant. He has been charged with four felonies among eight counts.
In an interview Wednesday with the Associated Press, O'Brien said he met over the weekend with Issah and his family. He said the door had been left open for him to come to Penn State at a later time.
"We want what's best for Zayd," he said. "We don't think Zayd is a bad kid at all. We think he's a young guy that's made a couple of questionable decisions. His next move will be determined by him.
"He will not be here next year to play football at Penn State, but eventually he could end up at Penn State down the road."
The 6-foot-3, 210-pound Issah was one of 12 players who signed a national letter of intent with Penn State on Feb. 6. He had been expected to provide depth at linebacker and contribute on special teams.
Contact Joe Juliano at jjuliano@phillynews.com. Follow on Twitter @joejulesinq.
