Star Penn State Running Back Transfers to USC

Star tailback Silas Redd is bolting Penn State for Southern California.

The 1,200-yard rusher opted Tuesday to leave a Nittany Lions program facing stiff sanctions handed down by the NCAA in the wake of the Jerry Sandusky child sex abuse scandal.

Among the penalties was a four-year postseason ban.

The NCAA gave Penn State players the option to transfer immediately and play for another school this year. Redd visited USC over the weekend and heard coach Lane Kiffin's pitch to be a key cog for a Trojans team expected to be highly ranked and contend for the Pac-12 title.

Redd is the second player to leave Penn State since the sanctions were announced July 23.

Pat Haden says "we welcome Silas Redd to the Trojan family. He is an outstanding student and athlete."