USC Football: Trojans Recruiting Penn State RB Silas Redd for Transfer

Jeff Hanisch-US PRESSWIRE

Just 13 hours after news that Penn State players were deemed free to transfer anywhere without penalty, the Nittany Lions’ best offensive player, Silas Redd has been linked to the USC Trojans, per ESPN’s Joe Schad.

The Trojans have bargaining power and Redd would be a huge addition for the Trojans, as it would solidify the running game, giving USC two players on the Doak Walker watch list, and two players who had over one thousand yards in 2011.

According to Tim Tolley of Victory Bell Rings, Redd’s departure from Penn State would be surprising given his admiration for the university, but the prospects of playing for a National Title contender could change that. Though, according to Eric Galko of Optimum Scouting, the chance of Redd going to USC remains slim.

If he enrolls at USC, the Trojans will lose one scholarship from the Class of 2013, meaning that the Trojans could play with a roster of 76 in 2012, but only 74 in 2013 and just 14 scholarships instead of the already-sanctioned limit of 15. USC currently has 16 commitments for the Class of 2013, though that is based of an augmented class size of 18, taking into account early enrollees that would count towards the Class of 2012. If Redd comes to USC, the Trojans would have just one scholarship open remaining.

The Trojans are light in the backfield with just Curtis McNeal and D.J. Morgan having playing experience. McNeal had a solid season a year ago, but Morgan lost confidence and had his playing time significantly reduced in the later part of the year after a spell of fumblitis.

We’ll have more as we learn of new details surrounding Redd and the Trojans.