Upon the announcement of epic NCAA sanctions against its football program, one Penn State athletic official told CFT that the Nittany Lions were “bracing for a dozen or more departures” of current/incoming players in the coming days and weeks.
In the nine days since that announcement, running back Silas Redd (USC), quarterback Rob Bolden (LSU), linebacker Khairi Fortt (Cal) and defensive back Tim Buckley (North Carolina State) have already officially left the program, while tight end Kevin Haplea (Florida State) is all but officially gone. Now, an incoming player has reportedly decided to ply his football wares elsewhere as well.
The high school coach of 2012 PSU signee Jamil Pollard confirmed to nj.com Tuesday night that his former player is “leaving Penn State and going to Rutgers.” Scout.com subsequently confirmed the move, writing that “Pollard first contacted Rutgers about the opportunity to transfer, and Scarlet Knights coach Kyle Flood alerted Penn State coach Bill O’Brien about the contact before the sides met.”
The defensive tackle would become the first member of O’Brien’s first recruiting class at Penn State to leave the program.
Pollard, who is currently in State College finishing up summer school, was offered scholarships in the past week by “six or seven Division 1 schools,” West Deptford (NJ) High School head coach Clyde Folsom added.
A four-star member of PSU’s 2012 class, Pollard was rated as the No. 20 tackle in the country by Rivals.com.