Sports

Opposing coaches linger in Penn State parking lot hoping to poach players

Holly Bensur Contributor
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Just when Penn State thought its situation couldn’t get any worse, opposing coaches began lingering in school facility parking lot Wednesday hoping to poach football players away from the sanctioned program, ESPN reported.

The new recruitment tactic comes after the NCAA fined Penn State $60 million and vacated Joe Paterno’s wins from 1998 to 2011 Monday as punishment for the crimes committed by former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky.

Silias Redd, Penn State’s leading rusher in the 2011-2012 season, was scheduled to meet with USC Trojans coach Lane Kiffin Thursday to discuss transferring for the opportunity to compete for a championship, ESPN reports.

Redd was not in attendance in a player-led program support announcement Wednesday at the State College campus.

Redd is not the only player being recruited. Penn State coach Bill O’Brian said Wednesday all of his players have been poached by opposing teams’ coaches, with as many as 50 players being offered scholarships.

Penn State players are allowed to transfer schools without the risk of being banned from competition for an entire season. Some coaches have offered Redd the opportunity to play right away.

NCAA requires interested persistent coaches to notify Penn State of their intentions, and USC has told Penn State Monday they are interested in Redd, according to ESPN.

O’Brien declined to comment which players were offered scholarships.

NCAA released a statement Tuesday saying, “Penn State cannot restrict in any way a student-athlete from pursuing a possible transfer. Student-athletes must simply inform Penn State of their interest in discussing transfer options with other schools. Before communicating with student-athletes, interested schools also must inform Penn State of their intention to open discussion with the student-athlete.”

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