New questions on status of Penn State's Drake and Bolden

Rob Bolden
Rob Bolden
Posted: May 20, 2012

Curtis Drake, the former West Catholic High star who has had an unsettled career as a Penn State football player, reportedly is awaiting a decision on whether he will be allowed to participate in voluntary summer workouts because of academic issues.

The Centre Daily Times quoted a source as saying that Drake, a redshirt junior who was moved from wide receiver to cornerback during the spring by new head coach Bill O'Brien, is anticipating word on his status.

Quoting sources, the newspaper also said quarterback Rob Bolden, who is believed to be third in a three-man battle for the starting job behind Matt McGloin and Paul Jones, has not enrolled in summer school nor participated in recent workouts, leading to speculation he may transfer.

Drake and Bolden could not be reached Saturday for comment. When asked about the report, Penn State athletic department spokesman Jeff Nelson said, "I do not anticipate having any personnel updates over the weekend."

Drake ended the 2011 season staying home from the Nittany Lions' trip to the TicketCity Bowl because of a locker-room scuffle with quarterback Matt McGloin. He also has been involved in a pair of off-campus incidents in which he was cited for disorderly conduct.

O'Brien said on the first day of spring practice that Drake started with "a clean slate" when he took over as head coach. He said Drake needed to "do well in school and keep his nose clean."

Bolden started his first seven games as a freshman in 2010 but lost the No. 1 job to McGloin after suffering a concussion against Minnesota. After the season, he asked former coach Joe Paterno for a release so he could transfer, but Paterno declined the request.

Bolden started the Lions' first seven games again in 2011, but McGloin saw the majority of the playing time.


Contact Joe Juliano at 215-854-4494 or jjuliano@phillynews.com

or on Twitter @joejulesinq

 

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