The embattled Penn State football program may be on the verge of one of its biggest losses yet, according to ESPN college football analyst Joe Schad.
Schad posted Friday morning on his Twitter account (@schadjoe) that wide receiver Justin Brown, the receptions leader among returning Penn State players, will meet today with head coach Bill O'Brien, and that he is leaning toward a transfer to the University of Oklahoma.
"PSU WR Justin Brown scheduled to see BOB this afternoon," Schad tweeted. "Oklahoma lean per source."
The Sooners, ranked fourth in the USA Today preseason top 25, opened practice early Friday morning, but would certainly be glad to make room for one more in training camp with the addition of Brown, who started 11 games for the Nittany Lions last year and caught 35 passes for 517 yards and two touchdowns. Oklahoma returns a healthy corps of receivers, led by Kenny Stills and Jaz Reynolds, but could definitely use some added experience after the graduation of Ryan Broyles.
Of course, the loss of Brown would be disastrous for the Nittany Lions, who open training camp next week. The entire returning Penn State team without Brown had 23 catches last year, and with the loss of running back Silas Redd to USC earlier in the week weakening PSU's run game, the loss of Brown would certainly hamper the passing game as well.
Under the terms of the NCAA's sanctions against Penn State - which include a four-year bowl ban and loss of scholarships - all current and incoming Penn State players have the option to transfer to another school with immediate eligibility. Eight players have availed themselves of that opportunity so far, led by Redd, former starting quarterback Rob Bolden (LSU), linebacker Khairi Fortt (California) and kicker Anthony Fera (Texas).
