When the NCAA hit the Penn State Football program with sanctions on July 23rd and allowed players to transfer without penalty, nine decided to leave. Below is an update regarding how these guys have performed at their new schools through the first two weeks of the college football season.

Anthony Fera,  redshirt junior kicker and punter – Texas 

Considered a huge loss for the Lions, Fera was Penn State’s special teams ace as he handled kickoffs, punts and field goals last season.

Fera was selected first-team All-Big Ten punter by ESPN.com and was Penn State’s leading scorer with 62 points. He made 14 out of 17 field goals with a long of 46 yards. He was 10 for 10 on attempts from less than forty yards out and 20 for 20 on extra points.

Last season, Fera punted 64 times for 2,685 yards with an average of 42 yards per punt. He registered 12 punts of 50+ yards with a long of 69 yards. He also had 10 touch backs on 45 kicks off.

Fera’s decision to transfer to Texas was not football related. His mother suffers from multiple sclerosis, making it difficult for his family to travel to games. With the opportunity to transfer without penalty Fera decided it would be easier for his family to be closer to home.

He is recovering from a groin injury that has sidelined him for the first two games of the season. According to BurntOrangeNation.com, Texas head coach Mack Brown has upgraded Fera from doubtful to questionable for this Saturday’s game. The Lions certainly missed him last Saturday at Virginia when his replacement, Sam Ficken, had a rough game.

 Silas Redd, junior running back – USC

Redd was the highest profile player to transfer following the sanctions. Last season, he accounted for over fifty percent of Penn State’s rushing offense racking up 1,241 yards. Redd also had seven touchdowns on the season.

In Redd’s first game as a Trojan, he rushed for 56 yards on nine attempts against Hawaii. He recorded one rushing touchdown and also had one reception for 41 yards.

During this past Saturday’s game against Syracuse, Redd rushed for 107 yards on 15 carries.

He is listed as a co-starter with Curtis McNeal on the USC depth chart.

Tim Buckley, redshirt freshman safety – NC State

Buckley, a walk on safety, was redshirted last season. Before transferring, he was listed second on the post spring practice depth chart at safety.

He was the first player to transfer following the sanctions. He is a North Carolina native and wanted to play for his state university where he will be on scholarship at NC State.

He is second on the depth chart at safety but has not recorded any game statistics yet.

Justin Brown, senior wide receiver – Oklahoma 

Heading into the season, Brown was Penn State’s most experienced receiver.  Last season, he hauled in 35 passes for 517 yards and two scores. His departure left Penn State with a talented yet young and inexperienced receiving core. Brown also returned some punts for the Nittany Lions.

He is one of three starting receivers for Oklahoma. In two games he has six catches for 87 yards, good for second on the roster.  Brown also returns punts for the Sooners.  He has six returns for 132 yards with a long of 62 yards.

 Jamil Pollard, freshman defensive tackle – Rutgers 

Pollard was the first recruit to commit to Penn State following the Sandusky scandal. He spent some time on campus this summer with the team before transferring to Rutgers.

He has not recorded any stats for the Scarlet Knights.

Khairi Fortt, junior linebacker – California 

Fortt recorded 33 tackles last season and 2.5 sacks. Fortt’s impact was mainly on special teams and as a rotational player. He was listed as a co-starter at middle linebacker at the end of spring practice.

Fortt has yet to record any stats for the Golden Bears as he recovers from a knee injury sustained in the spring.

Ryan Nowicki, redshirt freshmen offensive lineman – Illinois 

Nowicki took a redshirt last season.

Originally from Arizona, Nowicki considered transferring to Arizona State. His decision to transfer within the Big Ten to Illinois sparked a bit of controversy.

Currently listed as a third string offensive tackle, Nowicki has not seen any playing time.

Rob Bolden, junior quarterback – LSU

Bolden passed for 685 yards last season. He threw two touchdowns and seven interceptions.

Bolden spent much of last season locked in a quarterback battle with Matt McGloin. He eventually lost the job but played in the Ticket City Bowl as McGloin recovered from a concussion.

When a depth chart was revealed in early June, he dropped to third on the depth chart behind starter Matt McGloin and Paul Jones.

Bolden is currently the third string quarterback behind starter Zach Mettenberger and Stephen Rivers.

Kevin Haplea, junior tight end – Florida State

Haplea had three catches for 21 yards last season and one touchdown. His touchdown reception was in the fourth quarter of a 13-3 victory over Iowa.

In two games played, Haplea has one reception for three yards. He is the Seminoles second string tight end.