A history-making Penn State quarterback visited LSU over the weekend and is considering transferring to the powerhouse of the SEC.
Rob Bolden was the first true freshman to start at quarterback at Penn State in 100 years two years ago. He has since sought to leave Penn State. Bolden attempted to transfer after the 2011 season, but former coach Joe Paterno refused to release him from his scholarship.
However, a Penn State spokesman told the The Patriot-News of Harrisburg, Pa., on Sunday night that Bolden is no longer with the team, making it almost a forgone conclusion that he will become a Tiger.
Bolden would be able to join LSU’s team immediately after sanctions placed on Penn State’s program by the NCAA in the wake of the Jerry Sandusky sex abuse scandal.
A source with direct knowledge of the situation said Penn State coach Bill O’Brien granted Bolden a release from his scholarship prior to the sanctions being handed down last week. The source did not say how long ago the release was granted.
Bolden, a 6-foot-3, 214-pound native of Orchard Lake, Mich., has completed 165 of 328 passes for 2,045 yards with seven touchdowns and 14 interceptions in his two years at Happy Valley. He can make all the throws, but struggled when tams knew he was forced to pass because of a lack of a consistent running game.
f he does go to LSU, he would add needed depth to the Tigers. LSU has just one quarterback — starter Zacg Metenberger — who is not a freshman. The two backups are both redshirt freshmen.
Also, true freshman Jeremy Liggins is on the fall roster, but he was struggling to meet NCAA initial eligibility requirements and signed with Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College during the summer. It’s unclear whether he will meet his minimal requirements to join the Tigers, making Bolden’s presence that much more important.
