Looks like Penn State’s quarterback picture got a little bit clearer.
Exiting spring practice, Nittany Lions coach Bill O’Brien said neither Steven Bench nor Tyler Ferguson had separated himself from the other, and that the competition between the two was to continue through the summer and into fall camp. That won’t be the case as Penn State announced this afternoon that Bench has decided to transfer.
“I have been meeting with all the players this week with my evaluation of where they are at related to football and academics and to discuss what they need to work on this summer,” O’Brien said in a statement. “After meeting with Steven, he informed me he wants to play elsewhere. We want what is best for Steven. I want to thank him for his contributions to the program. We wish Steven the best in the future and will assist him anyway we can.”
Bench, who completed 2-of-7 passes last year as a true freshman, will stay at Penn State through the rest of the spring semester. Since Bench was a member of Penn State’s 2012 recruiting class, he will be able to transfer to any school he wants without having to sit out a year thanks to the NCAA’s modified transfer rules in light of the sanctions against the program.
With Bench out, Ferguson will compete with freshmen Christian Hackenberg, D.J. Crook and Austin Whipple for the starting job.