For the second time in the span of less than 24 hours, Penn State's loss is the Pac-12's gain.
Hours after former Penn State running back Silas Redd made his decision to leave the embattled Nittany Lions program for USC, linebacker Khairi Fortt has made his decision to head west, as he will transfer to the University of California.
Reports of Fortt's transfer began to circulate on Tuesday, but the Fortt family said that no decision had been made at that time. Wednesday morning, however, the news was reported on Twitter by veteran college football reporter Rich Cirminiello of CollegeFootballNews.com and FoxSports.com.
"Just spoke to Fortt family," Cirminiello posted to his Twitter account (@RichCirminiello). "#PennState LB Khairi Fortt off to Cal where he's excited to get a fresh start."
The NCAA offered all of Penn State's current and incoming players a "fresh start" when the governing body announced its sanctions against the school last week. As the Nittany Lions face a four-year bowl ban and loss of scholarships, the players are allowed to transfer to another NCAA institution with immediate eligibility. Redshirt freshman safety Tim Buckley was the first to go, but in Fortt and Redd, head coach Bill O'Brien loses two key players, both of whom were immediately identified as top transfer candidates following the NCAA's announcement.
Fortt played in every game for Penn State last year, finishing with 33 tackles, six tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. He joins a Cal team that is young at the linebacker position, with two sophomores and a freshman among the top six players on head coach Jeff Tedford's depth chart. The Bears went 7-6 last year, finishing their season with a loss to Texas in the Holiday Bowl.
Without the opportunity to play in a bowl - and without Buckley, Redd and Fortt - the Nittany Lions are due to begin training camp next week.
