With all eyes on Penn State wide receiver Justin Brown, another Nittany Lions player is leaving Happy Valley. This one, however, won't be leaving the Big Ten...or even the Leaders Division.
Ryan Nowicki, a redshirt freshman guard from Glendale, Arizona, has informed Penn State head coach Bill O'Brien and his staff that he will transfer to the University of Illinois. Richard Obert, who covers high school sports for the Arizona Republic, reported the news on his Twitter account (@azc_obert), writing "OL Ryan Nowicki just told Illinois coaches he will be playing for them, leaving Penn State."
The Illini, who went 7-6 last season but just 2-6 in Big Ten play, have been one of the most aggressive schools in the pursuit of transfers from Penn State in the days since the NCAA handed down its sanctions. Multiple coaches from head coach Tim Beckman's staff have been spotted on campus in Happy Valley, attempting to talk Penn State players into transferring.
Nowicki, like all players transferring from Penn State in the wake of the NCAA sanctions, will have immediate eligibility with his new team, a departure from the normal NCAA procedure that requires players transferring between schools in the Bowl Subdivision to sit out a year before playing.
The 6-foot-5, 280-pound Nowicki was born in Illinois, but grew up in Arizona, where he was an All-State player at Cactus High School. He was ranked the No. 31 prep tackle in the nation by Rivals.com in last year's recruiting class.
Under the terms of the NCAA's sanctions against Penn State, the Nittany Lions are ineligible for postseason play for four years, and are required to cut back on their scholarships. The remaining Nittany Lions are due to begin training camp next week.
