Penn State linebacker transfers to Cal Cal football

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Unhappy in Happy Valley, Penn State linebacker Khairi Fortt has decided to transfer to Cal and is eligible to play right away after signing a scholarship agreement Wednesday.

A 6-foot-2, 238-pound junior from Stamford, Conn., Fortt will have two years of eligibility with the Bears.

"Basically, I wanted to take a leap of faith ... This is what's right for me and my family," Fortt told the Stamford Advocate.

When the NCAA handed down unprecedented sanctions against Penn State related to the Jerry Sandusky child sex abuse case, it afforded Nittany Lions players the opportunity to transfer and play immediately without having to sit out a year.

Leaving along with Fortt was running back Silas Redd, who signed with USC to set up an interesting reunion Sept. 22 in Los Angeles. Fortt and Redd are childhood friends and summer workout partners.

"We've spoken and we both said good luck to each other, and I'll see him in September," Fortt said.

Fortt visited Berkeley on Friday and met with coach Jeff Tedford and linebackers coach Kenwick Thompson before returning home. He is expected for the start of Cal's fall camp practices Saturday at Witter Rugby Field.

"They did promise me a fair opportunity to come out and compete to start," Fortt told the Advocate.

In a statement, Tedford said, "When the NCAA gave Khairi the opportunity to transfer in this instance, he and his family decided to take a look at our program. We are excited to welcome him to the Cal family."

It's uncertain whether Fortt will be completely healthy this season. He sustained a dislocated right kneecap in Penn State's spring practices and said he's been running and lifting weights.

"It's coming along well," said Fortt, who left open the possibility of a medical redshirt season.

Fortt was highly regarded coming out of Stamford High School in 2009. Rivals.com rated him the No. 5 prep linebacker while Scout.com had him at No. 11. Penn State's nickname as Linebacker U should say something about Fortt's ability.

As a sophomore in 2011, Fortt had 33 tackles, six for losses, with 2.5 sacks. He said Cal was initially his first choice but signed with Penn State to be closer to home.

"It was actually my first choice but then I was a little younger and it was far from home," Fortt said. "I was a little afraid of being so far away from home."

Fortt's mother, Tabitha Fortt, supported her son's decision to transfer to Cal, saying, "I look at the fact Cal Berkeley is very academically inclined. Cal Berkeley is a wonderful place for him to finish his academic career. From a football standpoint, we believe he has an athletic future there."