Penn State RB Ricky Slade, a former 5-star prospect, enters transfer portal, per reports
Penn State running back Ricky Slade, a former five-star prospect, has entered his name into the transfer portal, according to several news reports Wednesday afternoon.
AL.com, 247 Sports and The Athletic first reported the news within 15 minutes of one another. Slade’s declaration occurred once James Franklin’s press conference had concluded Wednesday, so the Nittany Lions have yet to confirm the news.
Still, Slade’s foray into the transfer portal is hardly a surprise.
The rising junior began the 2019 season as the starter but struggled to make an impact before losing his job early in the season to Journey Brown. Slade finished the year with just 47 carries for 214 yards — giving him the sixth-most carries on the team.
He was out-rushed by the three other running backs — Brown (890), Noah Cain (443) and Devyn Ford (294) — in addition to quarterback Sean Clifford (402). Backup QB Will Levis, who played in seven games, had one fewer yard than Slade with 213.
On top of that, the Nittany Lions have two highly rated freshmen joining the team in four-star running backs Keyvone Lee and Caziah Holmes. That makes the running back room a lot more cramped, meaning Slade’s role in 2020 likely would’ve been further diminished.
But, in the week leading up to the Cotton Bowl, Slade remained optimistic with reporters. He told The Athletic’s Audrey Snyder he planned on returning.
“I think you guys are the only ones talking about it,” Slade told Snyder in late December. “I’m not looking to go anywhere, Devyn isn’t looking to go anywhere, all of the other running backs aren’t looking to go anywhere. We’re going to bring those young guys up to speed and continue to do what we do. … We’re in this thing together until the end.
“For me, I don’t want to go anywhere else. I love Penn State. I love the school. I love the football. I want a degree from here. I’m enjoying my time here and they’re enjoying their time here.”
Head coach James Franklin and the coaching staff routinely meet with all the players once the season has concluded to discuss the future. Although there was no public indication Slade was unhappy, it’s possible his attitude changed after the meeting.
Regardless, this doesn’t necessarily mean that Slade is definitely out the door. It’s not unprecedented for Penn State players in the transfer portal to return to the team, like safety Lamont Wade did at this time last year, although — given the depth chart — that’s considered more unlikely in Slade’s scenario.
The Virginia native came to Penn State in 2018 as the nation’s top-ranked all-purpose back. 247 Sports rated him as the country’s No. 27 overall prospect, and he was one of a trio of five-star prospects in that class. The others included linebacker Micah Parsons and wideout Justin Shorter, who transferred to Florida.
If Slade has already suited up for Penn State for the last time, he’ll finish his career here with 92 carries for 471 yards and eight touchdowns. He averaged 5.1 yards per carry, although his 4.6 yards per carry last season ranked last among the four PSU running backs on scholarship.
This story was originally published February 5, 2020 at 2:29 PM.
