The Lions' Pride

Hold on. Let me get this straight. This guy transfers to FSU and you all wish him luck and wish the best for him, but Silas transfers to USC and he's a coward?

I haven't personally called Redd a coward, but there's a few reasons for why PSU fans feel bitter about Redd and not Haplea:

-- Haplea was way down on the depth chart. Thus, he's transferring to a school where he'll get more playing time, as opposed to Redd transferring to where he'll get less playing time.
-- Haplea was expected to transfer way before sanctions (after the spring game)
-- Redd has the persona of someone who LOVED Penn State from the beginning for a number of reasons
-- Haplea never said "I don't break promises."

Haplea's departure was expected, and he never put himself out there as a leader for PSU. Whether appropriate or not (apparently not appropriate), Redd was perceived as a leader, as someone who loved Penn State no matter what. Stings a lot more.

And yes, I do wish Haplea well. Unfortunate that it didn't work out, as I thought he had some good potential under BOB.

Why is it a bad move? He was pretty much the 4 the TE on the depth chart. And that doesn't include breneman

USC shed dead weight from their roster, and replaced them with blue chip recruits. It was an amazing opportunity for players to evaluate their place on the depth chart and see that the promise of glory at USC wasn't going to happen.

USC turned the sanctions into an opportunity to upgrade the talent. They got young and it showed a bit, but they are very strong now, in part because of the roster turnover.

They did not lose stars. But the conditions were different.

Haplea was defintiely under utilized for two years after being forced into action due to injuries. Gilliam and Sczerba should have been 1-2, and Haplea would have redshirted. He was never part of the offense, never targeted, and because he was forced to play was as yet not an effective blocker. He was absolutely second team to Gilliam for 2012, but falling behind Carter and James was surprising. He is the definition of "looking for a better opportunity".

"Did not fit in the new system?" Well that is BS. In any case, good luck to him.

Haplea was the 4th TE on the roster, already passed by two freshmen he was going to see little meaningful playing time. Redd was a team leader and a starter, presented himself as the biggest Penn State guy on the team. The two situations are not even comparable.