Penn State football: A dozen questions as the post-Paterno era begins

This year will be the most closely watched football season in the history of Penn State. The post-Paterno era comes with many questions. Here are 12.

- Ross Atkin, Staff

3. Left behind

How many players have bailed out of the program?

Nine players from last year’s team have transferred to other schools, taking advantage of the NCAA’s decision to suspend rules intended to discourage such moves. (Transfers normally have to sit out a season, but the NCAA is allowing them to play right away for other programs because of the extraordinary circumstances.)

The mostly highly regarded player to leave is junior running back Silas Redd, a starter last year who rushed for more than 1,200 yards. He’s gone to Southern Cal. Other players in the Penn State diaspora have taken their talents to LSU, Cal, Florida State, and other schools. Illinois, which lured away offensive tackle Ryan Nowicki, sent eight assistants to State College looking to land transfers, according to Sports Illustrated. Besides established players, some recruits who had pledged to Penn State decommited.