Justin Brown Transfers to Oklahoma, Adds to Growing List of Penn State Departures

As anticipated, Oklahoma added depth to an already dangerous receiving corps with the transfer of Justin Brown from Penn State. Brown is a big target at 6-foot-3, and near 220 pounds, providing a different look from the lighter, fleet footed Kenny Stills and recently reinstated Jaz Reynolds.

Brown’s numbers the last two seasons at PSU were not gaudy: 70 catches for a little south of 1000 yards and three touchdowns. Of course, those were figures accrued in a conservative offense with Matt McGloin and Rob Bolden throwing his way. Playing alongside the aforementioned Reynolds and Stills, as well as Trey Franks, and with Landry Jones doing the throwing, Brown’s productivity should see a decided uptick.

For the Sooners, it’s a welcome addition making one of the most prolific passing attacks in college football even more so. For PSU, it’s a sign of the trying times the Nittany Lions will face on the gridiron during and immediately following NCAA sanctions.

Brown makes the ninth transfer since the NCAA levied harsh penalties on the football program. The most notable departures have been Brown, running back Silas Redd (USC) and linebacker Khairi Fortt (Cal).

The first year of a four-year bowl ban had potential for PSU football to give its fan base some reason to cheer — Bill O’Brien was inheriting a roster with 15 returning starters, one of the more experienced lineups in the Big Ten, and one that had won nine games. But now, the Nittany Lions are a depleted bunch. Thin with depth and playing for little beyond pride, the struggles will not be delayed a season.

Further, nine players departing this close to the season’s beginning spells trouble come season’s end. The NCAA’s transfer amnesty extends well beyond the 2012 campaign, which means players have another four months to weigh their future. If merely setting the foundation for PSU’s new era is not enticing enough influence, another round of transfer can be expected.