Penn State receiver Jake Kiley to transfer

Penn State receiver Jake Kiley announced his intent to play his final year of eligibility at another institution via Twitter on Thursday.

“After a long and challenging discussion with my family, we have decided that it would be in the best interest for me to play my fifth year of eligibility at another school,” he wrote. “This decision definitely wasn’t easy, since the past four years have been the best times of my life and I wouldn’t trade them for the world.

“That freshman summer when we got hit with the sanctions, the decision to stay was a no brainer thanks to the incredible leadership of the older guys in the program. They truly showed me what it meant to be a ‘Penn State guy’ and for that I am truly grateful and appreciative. The brotherhood and friendships that I have formed with my teammates goes way beyond the field and the locker room and I will carry that with my for the rest of my life.”

Kiley, who finished his degree in December, did not see much action outside of practice and the scout team with Penn State. He also sat out during his sophomore season due to injury, and redshirted his freshman year in 2012.

In high school, Kiley was the New England Private School Athletic Conference Class C Player of the Year at New Hampton School, and was ranked as New Hampshire’s No. 1 prospect as a senior defensive back, quarterback and wide receiver.

“I would like to thank Coach (Joe) Paterno, Coach (Bill) Kenney and Coach (Tom) Bradley for providing me with the opportunity to become a part of the amazing thing that is Penn State,” he added. “I would like to thank Coach (Bill) O’Brien, Coach (James) Franklin, and both of the staffs all that they have done for me. I would also like to thank the strength staff, the athletic training staff and the academic staff for helping me along the way both on and off the field.

“And of course, I’d like the thank the greatest fan base in all of college football for making this experience unlike any other. You truly are in a class of your own.”

Kiley concluded the heartfelt note with appreciation of a group of players, including Wendy Laurent, Jordan Lucas, Austin Johnson, Nyeem Wartman-White, Brent Wilkerson, Akeel Lynch, Geno Lewis (who also recently announced their transfers) and Malik Golden.

This story was originally published January 28, 2016 at 6:04 PM with the headline "Penn State receiver Jake Kiley to transfer."