Report: Penn State QB Newsome leaves team

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) - August 4, 2011 (WPVI) -- Penn State might be down a backup quarterback through its first day of preseason camp.

The recruiting web site Lions 24/7 first reported Thursday that third-stringer Kevin Newsome has decided to leave the team. The Altoona Mirror confirmed the news later Thursday with Newsome's father, who said his son was considering a transfer.

The Nittany Lions kicked off practice in the afternoon.

When asked about Newsome, team spokesman Jeff Nelson told The Associated Press there were no personnel updates. Efforts by the AP to reach Newsome and his family were unsuccessful.

A departure would not be a surprise, as Newsome had expressed interest earlier this year in potentially leaving the program.

The once-touted prospect is behind sophomore Rob Bolden and junior Matt McGloin in the race for the starting quarterback job. Coach Joe Paterno has said either Bolden or McGloin will likely get the nod, though the Nittany Lions' depth behind the top two candidates has been whittled.

According to Nelson, Paterno said last week at Big Ten media day in Chicago that another regarded recruit, redshirt freshman Paul Jones, would not play this season because of academics. Jones, though, is eligible to practice.

Walk-ons Shane McGregor and Garret Venuto are the other quarterbacks on the roster.

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