Penn State football off-season shake-up: Another lineman set to leave via transfer
Penn State's offensive and defensive lines continue to reshape during a rapid off-season overhaul.
C.J. Thorpe is the third linemen to declare his intentions to transfer since the rocky 4-5 season ended on Dec. 19.
Last week, senior defensive tackle Antonio Shelton announced that he would use his extra year of COVID-19 eligibility elsewhere. Since, he's released his intention to transfer to Florida.
On Thursday, Thorpe, a 6-foot-3, 313-pound junior offensive lineman, posted on social media that he, too, will leave Penn State with eligibility remaining. He said he intends to play on the defensive line at his unknown future destination.
The Lions have now lost four defensive linemen and three offensive linemen in the past three weeks because of graduation, early entry to the NFL and transfers. Backup defensive lineman Judge Culpepper announced Thursday that he was leaving for Toledo.
Meanwhile, Penn State has picked up defensive line transfers Arnold Ebiketie (Temple) and Derrick Tangelo (Duke) and still may pursue more to help fill that void.
Thorpe came to the Lions from Pittsburgh Central Catholic as an offensive lineman but did switch briefly to defense in 2018 when depth became short.
He switched back to guard on offense and started several games there the past two years. He was known for his ultra-physical blocking presence on the field — sometimes resulting in personal foul penalties — and his loquacious, thoughtful nature off it.
He was a philosophy major who made a heartfelt speech during a Black Lives Matter rally in State College last spring.
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"These past (four) years at Penn State have taught me unforgettable lessons. There have been trials and tribulations that helped me grow into the person I am today," Thorpe wrote in a Twitter post. "For all of these things, the good and the bad, I am thankful."
Thorpe did not play in Penn State's final three games of the 2020 season, and head coach James Franklin made it sound as if it could have been a medical issue.
Thorpe's father, Chris, played linebacker and running back at Penn State under Joe Paterno before an injury ended his career.
Penn State's experienced offensive linemen returning include senior Mike Miranda, junior Rasheed Walker and sophomores Caedan Wallace and Juice Scruggs.