Penn State Quarterback Steven Bench Will Transfer

Apr 20, 2013; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Steven Bench will transfer. Here, he scrambles with the ball in the third quarter of the Blue White spring game at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O

Penn State quarterback Steven Bench will transfer, Nittany Lions head coach Bill O’Brien confirmed on Wednesday via a release on the university’s official athletic website.

O’Brien said:

"“I have been meeting with all the players this week with my evaluation of where they are at related to football and academics and to discuss what they need to work on this summer,” O’Brien said. “After meeting with Steven, he informed me he wants to play elsewhere. We want what is best for Steven. I want to thank him for his contributions to the program. We wish Steven the best in the future and will assist him anyway we can.”"

Bench tweeted confirmation shortly thereafter:

Bench’s transfer comes as something of a surprise, just a few days removed from a decent performance in the Penn State Blue and White Game on Saturday. Bench entered the spring competing with Tyler Ferguson for the starting quarterback job Matt McGloin vacates. Bench went 9-for-15 on his pass attempts — same as Ferguson — and connected with Jesse James on a 27-yard touchdown.

Bench played sparingly last season, backing up McGloin. Barring a redshirt season, his tenure in Happy Valley would have coincided directly with the duration of Penn State’s postseason ban.

The NCAA granted immediate clemency for Penn State players seeking transfer during sanctions, so as long as he signed prior to the penalties. The NCAA punished Penn State for the Jerry Sandusky scandal and subsequent cover-up in July 2012; Bench signed in January of the same year. Any player to transfer before the start of the 2013 season‘s training camp and meeting these conditions is immediately eligible at an FBS program.

The Nittany Lions quarterback competition will become more heated in the summer with the arrival of five-star prospect Christian Hackenberg. Hackenberg’s opportunity to play immediately certainly grows with Bench out of the equation.

Penn State lost another quarterback last fall, when Paul Jones transferred to FCS Robert Morris after being converted to tight end.