A scorecard, if you will, of the Penn State football scholarship transfer defections to date:

DIFFERENCE-MAKERS

JUNIOR TB SILAS REDD

New home: USC.

Former PSU role: returning starter who ran for 1,241 yards … returning second-team All-Big Ten selection … carried the Lions' offense last year until an assortment of injuries (stingers, collarbone/shoulder), limited him in the final month.

About Silas: The 5-10, 200-pounder is close to the total package, possessing quickness, strength, toughness, vision and balance. He would have been The Main Man in first-year coach Bill O'Brien's offense.

How much it hurts (scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being YEEEEE-OUCH!!!): 10.

REDSHIRT JR. P-PK ANTHONY FERA

New home: Texas.

Former PSU role: Terrific field-position weapon for Lions in 2011, averaging 42.0 yards per punt and converting 14 of 17 field-goal attempts. ... Fera was named Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week three times in 2011 and also handled kickoff chores.

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About Anthony: You can argue Fera was one of the most underrated weapons in the Big Ten last season and the Lions were counting on him to establish an edge in the field-position game this season. Look for first-year coach Bill O'Brien to lean on PK Sam Ficken and P Alex Butterworth to replace Fera.

How much it hurts (1-10): 8. PSU's biggest transfer loss after Redd.

SENIOR WR JUSTIN BROWN

New home: Oklahoma.

Former PSU role: Top returning Lions wideout after his 35-catch, 517-yard season in 2011. ... His 69-yard TD catch was the lone highlight in PSU's 30-14 TicketCity Bowl loss to Houston last January.

About Justin: There is little doubt first-year coach Bill O'Brien was going to feature Brown in his diverse passing game. How he fits in the Oklahoma passing attack, where he will not be the main man, remains to be seen.

How much it hurts (1-10): 8. The Lions are now without their top two offensive weapons -- TB Silas Redd and Brown.

ROLE GUYS

JUNIOR LB KHAIRI FORTT

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New home: California.

Former PSU role: solid backup for the Lions' last season, capable of playing inside or outside. … recorded 33 tackles in limited time in 2011, posted 6.5 tackles for loss.

About Khairi: Decorated Connecticut prep player could have played for just about any Div. I power coming out of high school, chose the Lions and was used as a true freshman. Despite the impressive resume, the 6-2, 238-pounder was unable to crack starting lineup in first two seasons. Suffered serious kneecap injury last spring that required surgery. Could be a redshirt candidate.

How much it hurts (1-10): 6. There is upside with Fortt, but he never put it together in State College.

JUNIOR TE KEVIN HAPLEA

New home: Florida State.

Former PSU role: Big body (6-4, 248) was part of Lions' TE rotation in 2010 and 2011, appearing in every game last season. ... Very limited role as pass catcher (6 career catches).

About Kevin: Really needed to be redshirted during his 2010 true freshman season but played out of necessity. Didn't make much noise during his first spring under first-year coach Bill O'Brien, who instead praised the work of young tight ends Kyle Carter, Jesse James and fourth-year junior Garry Gilliam.

How much it hurts (1-10): 3. Strictly a depth player.

MYSTERY MEN

TRUE FR. DL JAMIL POLLARD

New home: Rutgers.

Former PSU role: Had none. Pollard, a 6-4, 280-pounder from West Deptford (N.J.) High School was a member of the Lions' incoming 2012 class.

About Jamil: The Jersey Guy is going back home. Is considered by most recruiting services as a 3 or 4-star player.

How much it hurts (1-10): 1. Even with the NCAA sanctions, O'Brien and defensive line coach/ace recruiter Larry Johnson Sr. should always be able to find good defensive linemen.

REDSHIRT FR. OL RYAN NOWICKI

New home: Illinois.

Former PSU role: None. Nowicki, a true freshman on last year's team, was not in the mix to push for serious playing time heading into preseason practice.

About Ryan: Regarded as a tackle prospect, Nowicki is from the Glendale, Arizona area and had an offer from the Fighting Illini coming out of high school.

How much it hurts (1-10): 1. So THAT'S why Illinois sent all those coaches to State College last week. Bingo!

NON-FACTOR

JUNIOR QB ROB BOLDEN

New home: LSU.

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Former PSU role: Split time at quarterback with Matt McGloin in 2010 and 2011 but struggled with accuracy and decision-making. … McGloin won the starting job for the stretch run of each season. … Last PSU effort was dreadful in 30-14 TicketCity Bowl to Houston (7 of 26, 137 yards, TD, 3 INTs).

About Rob: Highly rated prep QB won the starting job as a true freshman coming out of camp in 2010. Despite some good early moments, never developed into big-time player. Good size (6-3, 214), very good arm. Fizzled in 2012 PSU QB derby, competing against McGloin and Paul Jones. Clear No. 3 coming out of spring and with true freshman Steven Bench now here, there was no role for Bolden at Penn State. Coach Bill O'Brien released Bolden from his scholarship prior to the announcement of NCAA sanctions.

How much it hurts (1-10): 1. Bolden wasn't in PSU's plans moving forward.