Penn State safety Buckley transfers to NC State

Raleigh, NC – Backup safety Tim Buckley has become the first Penn State football player to transfer from the team since the university was hit with NCAA sanctions in the wake of the Jerry Sandusky scandal.

Buckley has joined the football program at North Carolina State.

"I am excited to be a member of the NC State Wolfpack," said Buckley. "The opportunity to come here and play at my state university, so close to home, was something that I couldn't pass up."

Buckley, who went to Cardinal Gibbons High School in Raleigh, red-shirted last season at Penn State. He will be eligible to compete this upcoming season and will be listed as a redshirt freshman, meaning he'll have the full four years to play for the Wolfpack.

During his prep career at Cardinal Gibbons, Buckley was the Carolina 3-A Conference Offensive Player of the Year in 2010 and played running back, linebacker and safety. He rushed for almost 1,800 yards and scored 36 touchdowns as a senior.