Akron receiver transfers TO Penn St.
yes, you read that right. someone transferred to penn st.
http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/8278449/excited-akron-zi…
August 17th, 2012 at 6:13 PM ^
The first good news associated with Penn State football in a while. Kid finds an opportunity to play for his dream school, and takes it despite harsh sanctions. Wish him the best.
August 17th, 2012 at 6:14 PM ^
they're going to be raiding the MAC and the like for walk-ons and transfers left and right as their B1G talent disappears. why WOULDN'T kids playing for the likes of Akron transfer to PSU? Education jump? check. Competition jump? check. TV? check. Crowds? check.
August 17th, 2012 at 6:19 PM ^
Absolutely - this doesn't surprise me at all. Who cares about a bowl ban? Akron wasn't going to play in a bowl (at least one anybody cares about) anyway. They weren't going to win a bunch of big games.
Now this kid gets to play in some of the biggest stadiums in the country and practice with (at least a few) future NFL players. Even if PSU turns into a Big Ten bottom dweller, that's still a big step up from Akron.
August 17th, 2012 at 6:58 PM ^
The NFL will be watching the games PSU plays in. Maybe not on account of the talent PSU brings to the table, but they'll be there (or watching film) to scout players on Michigan, Wisconsin, Nebraska, etc. This gives the kid a chance to catch some attention.
August 17th, 2012 at 7:07 PM ^
The kid is a preferred walk-on at Akron that was not invited to their preseason camp, per the ESPN article. Might get some attention, but the sad reality is that PSU is taking a kid that did not have the talent to make it at Akron. That is pretty messed up. Granted, he will be with his brother now on his dream team, but still, sort of crazy.
August 17th, 2012 at 7:09 PM ^
It's crazy, but using a scholarship on a kid who isn't that good is better than not using it at all. Hell, if all he does is play on the scout team, it beats the hell out of no one.
August 18th, 2012 at 12:24 AM ^
Is he actually getting a scholarship? The article states that he isn't allowed to have one this season, but doesn't actually confirm that he'll have one after that.
August 17th, 2012 at 6:15 PM ^
Is he really an Akron Zips receiver if he wasn't even invited to come back for the season? "Average Joe Akron Student Transfers to Try to Play Football at Penn State" seems more fitting.
August 17th, 2012 at 6:18 PM ^
good for him. hopefully he gets to see the field at some point.
August 17th, 2012 at 6:26 PM ^
"Because I wouldn't be going to a bowl with Akron anyways."
August 17th, 2012 at 6:35 PM ^
August 17th, 2012 at 6:37 PM ^
Isn't Terry Bowden the new HC at Akron? They might actually be respectable in a few years....nah, who am I kidding; they'll still blow.
August 17th, 2012 at 6:43 PM ^
Not clear, but it looks like he was a walk-on at Akron. And he's getting a FB scholie at PSU? This is less good news for Penn and more a sign of how bad it's gotten. I don't fully buy it yet, but maybe evidence that Penn might have been better off with a 3 year death penalty and a fresh start than the mess that it will be for the next 5 years, at least.
August 17th, 2012 at 6:46 PM ^
No way. At least this way they'll have some players on their team three years from now. If they have a three year death penalty, they'd have to start from scratch afterward, and try to field a team with 28 freshmen and a ton of walk-ons. At least this way they'll have some sort of base when the sanctions are over.
But more than that, think of it from a money perspective. Not having any revenue for 3 years would be devastating.
August 17th, 2012 at 6:48 PM ^
Smart move. If they get enough decent MAC level players...with proper coaching and S&C they may be at least competitive for the next few years.
August 17th, 2012 at 7:34 PM ^
Some kids will do anything to keep themselves away from The Vest and Bowdens awful accent. Bowdens daughter thooooo.
Good luck young man, may your journey be fruitful.
August 17th, 2012 at 8:07 PM ^
I actually want PSU to rebound and recover with dignity. I hope that the players can restore the schools integrity and play hard, and win some games.
I have never had strong feelings towards the nitney lions one way or another but now that they have been punished appropriately I wish them well.
There isn't much better than a redemption story...
jdon
August 17th, 2012 at 10:13 PM ^
It would be the ultimate story of redemption, and O'Brien would forever go down in college football lore.
August 17th, 2012 at 10:54 PM ^
August 17th, 2012 at 10:27 PM ^
August 17th, 2012 at 10:55 PM ^
He's a local kid and his brother is also on the team. My guess is that he wanted to go there, bur couldn't. Now he has an oppotunity that he always wanted.
Good luck to him
August 17th, 2012 at 11:12 PM ^