TAMPA, Fla. -- Penn State quarterback Rob Bolden will transfer out of the Penn State football program, according to his father Robert Bolden. Reached by phone in Tampa where he is still staying with his son before flying home to Detroit, Mr. Bolden said the transfer is "100 percent sure as far as I'm concerned and Rob feels the same way."

Rob Bolden plans to meet with head coach Joe Paterno sometime in midweek to secure his release. He has already informed quarterback coach Jay Paterno.

After starting the season's first six games as a true freshman, the Detroit native suffered a concussion in the second quarter of the week-7 game at Minnesota. He played only about one quarter of meaningful snaps after that, two weeks later against Northwestern. He missed the entire Michigan game in which redshirt sophomore Matt McGloin started and played well.

"I felt McGloin did a good job under the circumstances of him being a third-string guy," said Mr. Bolden. "I felt as though he did very well. I felt he caught some bad breaks -- the same principle that got him in the game to begin with and the same principle that Rob was dealing with.

"But Rob ended up staying out for some struggles he had. It wasn't a two-way street, I guess. We're not happy about that.

"Rob had his ups and downs just the same as anybody would have had. But he was never allowed to rebound from that. He was never, in my eyes, coached through that. He didn't learn a whole lot just sitting on the sideline the rest of the season.

"I think it would've been beneficial to allow him to play more and see how he dealt with the ups and downs he was having. But that didn't happen."

Bolden was having his best game of the season at Minnesota, having completed 11 of 13 passes, when he was hit on a roll right and struck his head on the artificial surface. He wobbled moments later when sent back onto the field by assistant Mike McQueary and soon after came out of the game.

Bolden's next shot at playing time was two weeks later against Northwestern. He missed the entire Michigan game in which McGloin made his first career start and threw for 250 yards and a TD without an interception.

"Rob was cleared [to play] maybe two days before the Michigan game," said his father. "I would've thought he'd have played in the Michigan game. But he didn't for whatever reason and it kind of went downhill from there.

"Him coming in for mop-up duty after that was, in my eyes, just ridiculous. But that was the decision they made."

The final straw for the Boldens came on Saturday in the Outback Bowl when McGloin threw five interceptions and had at least three or four other potential picks dropped by Florida defenders in a 37-24 PSU loss. Rob Bolden did not play.

"I saw absolutely no reason why he shouldn't have been in the game," said Mr. Bolden. "None whatsoever. Clearly, he should have played. He had just as much right to be playing in that game as anybody. But they didn't give him that."

It being a full 24 hours after the initial decision to transfer, Mr. Bolden was asked if the decision was definite and final and if he and his son were in agreement.

"Yes, we're on the same page," he said. "This was a decision that we have been thinking about prior to the bowl game just based on things that have been taking place leading up to it. The bowl game just pushed it over the top. There's no question in our minds whatsoever."

Joe Paterno was not available for comment on Sunday night. On Sunday morning during his traditional casual post-bowl press conference he softened on what had been a hard-line post-game stance about not playing the true freshman in the Outback Bowl:

“If I had it to do over again, I'd probably try to get Bolden in there a little bit 'cause I think Bolden's a good prospect. And he's probably a little discouraged. ...

“I think it would've been good. If something happened to McGloin, at least Bolden would've been in a couple of tough football games. That part of it bothers me. And that was my decision that was made.”

Interestingly, when the subject of Blue-White scrimmage star Paul Jones arose, Paterno glowed about the redshirt freshman:

“Paul didn't have a great high school background academically. So, we thought it was in his best interest if we didn't let the football interfere with him getting a good start academically. And he did a good job his first semester. That's the most important thing.

“He has good ability. I've only seen him on the scout team. But he's a big kid, has a big, strong arm. And he's really a good kid to be around. Does anything you ask him to do.”

Technically, junior Kevin Newsome is still on the team but he was believed headed elsewhere until Sunday. That could change now.

Mr. Bolden said he has spoken to officials from some possible transfer locales but "they're reluctant to talk to him" until his son secures his official transfer. Because Bolden has not taken his redshirt year, he may use it and sit out in the 2011 season, then have three years remaining to play.

"He's not going anywhere in the state of Michigan," was Mr. Bolden's only certainty. "I can guarantee you that. But otherwise, it's up in the air."

Asked about positives of the Penn State experience for his son, Mr. Bolden said: "I completely appreciate the opportunity they gave him. At the end of the day, they have to do what they think is best for their program.

"But just the same, not just Rob but everyone has to do what's best for them. We feel right now Penn State is not what's best for Rob."

DAVID JONES:

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