Just when it seemed like everyone was transferring out of Penn State, one player is doing the opposite. Redshirt freshman Jared Fagnano is leaving Akron to transfer into Penn State even though the program has been punished by the NCAA for its role in allowing Jerry Sandusky to sexually abuse several children.
Fagnano is transferring primarily so he can play with his brother Jake, who is a redshirt senior and listed as the starting safety.
“I’ve always wanted to play football with Jake,” Jared said, according to Onward State. “I never got the chance to play with him because he graduated before I made the varsity team [in high school]. This will be a great experience because I’ll finally be able to go up against him and see for myself everything that he does.”
What’s strange is that Fagnano won’t really be playing with his brother. Jared will have to sit out a year due to NCAA transfer rules, so the only time he’ll face his brother will be in practice.
It sounds like the new coaches’ opinion of Jake may have contributed to Jared’s decision to transfer.
“I can’t compare myself to someone like Jake considering all the hard work he’s put in to get to this point — you know, walking on four years ago and not getting reps but still sticking with it,” Jared said. “Then the new coaches came in and decided right away that he was their guy — that takes some real guts and love of the game to stay in it that long and come out on top for his last year … I have some big shoes to fill.”
Jared Fagnano felt like Akron wasn’t too interested in him as a player after he wasn’t invited to the school’s preseason camp.
“I wouldn’t say it was an easy decision because I liked Akron, I fit up there,” Jared told Nittany Nation. “But it was an easy decision in the sense I could play at Penn State and play with my brother. That’s always kind of been a dream for me, just to be on Penn State. I was real excited when I found out I had that opportunity.”
Though it looked like Penn State became one of the most undesirable programs to play for after they were punished and tied to the Jerry Sandusky scandal, they’ll probably be pleased to know at least one athlete still considers it a dream to play there. One thing’s for certain: this delusional fan will definitely be pleased.
