The Buckingham

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Star football tailback Silas Redd is leaving the Penn State University football program for a spot on University of Southern California’s team.

The 1,200-yard rusher opted to on Tuesday to leave the Nittany Lions for the USC Trojans due to the NCAA sanctions at the result of the Jerry Sandusky child sex abuse scandal.

The NCAA gave Penn State players the option to transfer immediately and play for another school this year, which after visiting USC and hearing head coach Lane Kiffin’s pitch, Redd took the option.

Redd is the second player to leave Penn State since the NCAA sanctions were announced July 23, the first being backup safety Tim Buckley, who joined North Carolina State on Monday.

USC athletic director Pat Haden stated on Redd’s decision, “We welcome Silas Redd to the Trojan Family. He is an outstanding student and athlete”.

Penn State coach Bill O’Brien and his staff have been working to keep the team together despite the sanctions, but Redd’s transfer marks the loss of his best offensive player.

This season, the Trojans are expected to be highly ranked and competitive contenders for the Pac-12 title.