Penn State players demonstrated a show of solidarity when about two dozen players made a statement on Wednesday morning.
The players, led by senior linebacker Michael Mauti and senior fullback Michael Zordich, said they were committed to the university and being part of the team in the wake of crippling NCAA and Big Ten sanctions on Monday.
“Penn State was not built by one man, and one man's sure as hell not going to tear it down," Mauti told StateCollege.com. “We will stick together.”
However, the most notable player on Penn State’s roster wasn’t present at the announcement. Star running back Silas Redd, who rushed for 1,241 yards and seven touchdowns last season, has been linked to a possible transfer to schools such as Southern Cal and Tennessee. He reportedly was en route to Big Ten media days in Chicago.
As a caveat of the NCAA's hammer on Penn State, players are allowed to transfer without penalty during the next two years to any school. Typically, players must sit out a year after transferring.
“Does this mean every single kid I spoke to this morning is staying?” Penn State coach Bill O’Brien told ESPN. “No, but I’m proud of these kids sticking to the mission.”
For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis from Big Ten bloggers Dave Carey and Mike Singer, follow @CBSSportsBigTen.