Silas Redd is on his way home from USC, but it may not be too long before he heads back to sunny southern California as newly-minted Trojan.
Redd, who ran for 1,241 yards and seven touchdowns as a Penn State sophomore in 2011, was instantly identified as one of the top transfer candidates from the NCAA-sanctioned Nittany Lions football program, and according to reports from ESPN college football analyst Joe Schad, it's growing increasingly likely that Redd will be playing for USC head coach Lane Kiffin this fall, and not new Penn State coach Bill O'Brien.
"Silas Redd leaving LA now," Schad posted on Monday afternoon to his Twitter account (@schadjoe). "Solid lean to USC.
"Bill O'Brien will probably get one final swing at Silas Redd but it's an uphill battle."
O'Brien told reporters last week at Big Ten media day that he had spoken to Redd about his options, but wouldn't discuss the substance of the conversation. Redd had originally been scheduled to represent Penn State at media day, but wound up meeting with Kiffin instead.
Under the terms of the NCAA's sanctions against Penn State - which include a four-year bowl game ban and loss of scholarships - any current or incoming Penn State player can transfer to another NCAA institution with immediate eligibility. Typically, the governing body requires transferring student-athletes in sports like football, basketball and men's hockey to sit out one season before continuing their athletic careers.
That could wind up being a boon to USC, which starts the season as the No. 1 team in the nation, but has limited depth at running back behind Curtis McNeal. "Tailback U" could certainly use a boost in the form of Redd, one of several Penn State players who have been the subject of transfer rumors over the last week.
According to Schad, it may not be too long before transfer rumors become transfer reality.
