Former five-star Penn State running back Ricky Slade is transferring to Old Dominion.
“New beginnings … let’s get it @ODUFootball,” the rising junior tweeted Friday.
The Virginia native returns to his home state and will be reunited with new Monarchs head coach Ricky Rhane, formerly the offensive coordinator for the Nittany Lions.
Slade entered the NCAA transfer database in February. He rushed for 471 yards and eight touchdowns on 92 carries, and he added 13 catches for 117 yards in two seasons with Penn State.
He will have to sit out the 2020 season barring a waiver from the NCAA. He has two seasons of eligibility left.
Slade was ranked as the nation’s No. 1 all-purpose back and the No. 1 player in the state of Virginia in the class of 2018 by the 247Sports Composite.
The Virginian-Pilot of Norfolk, Va., reported that Slade is the highest ranked player to commit to Old Dominion since its football program restarted in 2009.