Pat Devlin came to Penn State with all sorts of records and hype but is leaving the program after never really getting a chance to prove himself.
The redshirt sophomore quarterback plans to transfer from PSU, the university confirmed late Wednesday night, and most likely will end up at a Division I-AA school. Fightonstate.com broke the news earlier Wednesday.
Devlin will not stick around long enough to play in the Rose Bowl, rather strange since he could have finished out the season then transferred. It's unclear if that was his decision or if it was forced upon Devlin by Joe Paterno and the coaching staff.
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Pat Devlin plans to transfer to a Division I-AA school. Delaware, James Madison and Villanova reportedly are in the running.
Mirror file photo by J.D. Cavrich
Paterno will be able to address the issue Friday when the Nittany Lions hold media day for the Rose Bowl.
Devlin's untimely departure leaves fifth-year senior Paul Cianciolo, who has played sparingly in his career, as the backup to starter Daryll Clark against USC in the Rose Bowl.
Losing Devlin also will put Penn State in a tough spot next season. The Lions have not recruited well at quarterback in recent years, and Clark will be the lone signal caller with any experience. If he were to get injured, Penn State could be in trouble.
Fact Box
Statement from PSU athletics:
Sophomore quarterback Pat Devlin has informed Coach Joe Paterno that he intends to transfer. He will not participate with the team in the Rose Bowl. The Penn State football program wishes him well at his new school.
A source who requested anonymity told the Mirror that Devlin is considering transferring to a Division I-AA school, thereby allowing him to play next season. If he were to transfer to another Division I school, NCAA rules would force him to sit out one season. Delaware, James Madison and Villanova are believed to be in the running for his services.
Devlin lost the starting quarterback battle to Clark in the preseason. Clark's father, Daryll Sr., said his son sent him a text message Wednesday afternoon telling him Devlin is transferring.
The elder Clark seemed surprised by the news, though many may not be since there has been widespread speculation all season Devlin may transfer. Clark has another year of eligibility remaining and is a lock to start next year, giving Devlin only one season as the starter in 2010.
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"I don't know what happened with Pat," Clark Sr. said by phone from his home in Youngstown, Ohio. "I thought those guys complemented each other. There's some things that Pat does very well, and I thought they would feed off each other and they would have some kind of a combo next year."
Devlin set the Pennsylvania career passing record with 8,162 yards at Downingtown East High School. He threw for 3,300 yards and 35 touchdowns as a senior, earned Parade Magazine All-America honors and was rated the No. 4 quarterback recruit in the country.
He initially committed to Miami before changing his mind and coming to Penn State.
Devlin redshirted in 2006 and was third string behind Anthony Morelli and Clark last season. This year he appeared in 10 games -- mostly in mop-up duty -- and completed 25-of-47 passes (53.2 percent) with four touchdowns and no interceptions.
The biggest bright spot of Devlin's Penn State career occurred in week nine as he was instrumental in the Lions' 13-6 win at Ohio State. He came on when Clark was injured, played most of the fourth quarter and led the offense to a touchdown and field goal as PSU rallied for victory.
Cory Giger is at 949-7031 and cgsports12@aol.com.
