Originally scheduled to represent Penn State at the Big Ten’s media days Thursday, Silas Redd instead spent his day discussing his football future with a school from the other coast.
According to ESPN.com‘s Joe Schad, USC head coach Lane Kiffin traveled to Redd’s home state of Connecticut to meet with the running back. A source told Schad that the meeting lasted for three hours, and that “it went very well.”
Schad wrote that “USC laid out an extensive presentation on how Redd would fit with the team, including Power Point presentation and video clips.”
Redd is said to be struggling with the decision of moving on to a team with national title aspirations or remaining where his heart is in Happy Valley. It’s unclear when Redd will make a final decision on his future. USC opens summer camp Aug. 6.
As part of the debilitating sanctions levied on the Nittany Lions by the NCAA Monday, any current player or incoming freshman is permitted to transfer to another school without sitting out a season if they so desire.
Redd has been linked to USC since the day the penalties were announced. While schools are permitted to go above the the 85-man scholarship limit to add a Penn State player this year, the Trojans, due to its own NCAA sanctions, are not permitted to go above 75 scholarship players.
However, it’s believed that at least one incoming recruit will not (ahem) qualify academically, which would open up a roster spot for Redd.
And, as the Trojans have a dire need at the RB position ahead of what’s expected to be a run for the crystal, it’s likely the program will bend over backwards -- twice, if necessary -- to add a player of Redd’s caliber.
UPDATED 7/27 @ 9:58 a.m.: According to to Scott Wolf of the Los Angeles Daily News, Redd’s transcripts have arrived at USC. Wolf goes on to write that “Redd should be at USC on Saturday and then officially announce his decision.”