Of all the Penn State transfers so far, perhaps the biggest surprise occurred Saturday night when senior receiver Justin Brown decided to leave and go to Oklahoma.
Brown's departure, first reported by ESPN, is a big blow to the PSU offense as he was the only player left on the roster who caught more than five passes last season.
"Well damn we droppin like flies," former PSU quarterback Daryll Clark tweeted Saturday in reference to the transfers, which now total nine.
Redshirt freshman defensive end Deion Barnes had a more pointed tweet aimed at Brown's decision.
"Smh [shake my head] I can't respect it," Barnes tweeted.
Brown had 35 catches for 517 yards and two touchdowns last season, finishing second on the team in all three categories to departed senior Derek Moye.
Devon Smith, who had 25 catches for 402 yards, left the team for personal reasons in June. Without Moye, Brown and Smith, the two returning players with the most receptions in 2011 are receiver Shawney Kersey and running back Michael Zordich, both of whom had five.
Brown, from Wilmington, Del., also was the Lions' punt returner last year and averaged 8.1 yards on 27 returns.
Brown likely would have been the top receiving target in coach Bill O'Brien's new pass-heavy offense. Instead, he's going to an Oklahoma offense that should be explosive under quarterback Landry Jones.
It's possible that Brown figures playing in that type of system, even for just one season, can better prepare him for the NFL than staying at Penn State for his senior season.
The Sooners also hope to contend for the national championship, while PSU is ineligible for a bowl game because of NCAA sanctions.
The eight other Penn State players to transfer include: RB Silas Redd (USC), LB Khairi Fortt (Cal), QB Rob Bolden (LSU), TE Kevin Haplea (Florida State), S Tim Buckley (N.C. State), PK/P Anthony Fera (Texas), OL Ryan Nowicki (Illinois) and DL Jamil Pollard (Rutgers).
