Trojans pursuing Penn State's Silas Redd

In the wake of NCAA sanctions the give Penn State players the opportunity to transfer without penalty, USC is pursuing Nittany Lions running back Silas Redd. The Trojans contacted Penn State about their intent to recruit the 5-foot-10, 200-pound junior, who rushed for 1,241 yards and seven touchdowns, said a source with knowledge of the situation. The source requested anonymity because he is not authorized to speak publicly about the situation. ESPN reported USC's interest in Redd on Monday night. In response to a text message from The Patriot-News asking whether his son was considering USC, Redd's father texted back "Still sifting through it all!" After USC was sanctioned by the NCAA in 2010, the Trojans lost several upperclassmen who took advantage of the opportunity to transfer. None landed at Penn State. USC is pursuing Redd to address a depth issue at tailback. Senior Curtis McNeal, the returning starter, rushed for more than 1,000 yards last season. Redshirt sophomore D.J. Morgan is the only other experienced scholarship tailback. The Trojans open training camp on Aug. 6 in preparation for their Sept. 1 opener against Hawaii. Ty Isaac of Joliet Catholic High in Illinois and Justin Davis of Stockton Lincoln are tailbacks in the Class of 2013 who have made verbal commitments to the Trojans. -Gary Klein