By Zac Ellis

Former Penn State quarterback Steven Bench is transferring to South Florida, Bench announced on his Twitter account on Thursday.

I’ve decided to attend the University of South Florida and become a bull!! #DoSomething—
Steven Bench (@SBench12) May 23, 2013

Bench, who left Penn State largely because of a crowded quarterback competition with juco transfer Tyler Ferguson and incoming freshman Christian Hackenberg, opted to transfer from the Nittany Lions last month. Given the ongoing NCAA sanctions at Penn State, Bench is eligible to play immediately and will have three years of eligibility remaining.

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Heavy lies the head that wears the FSU cap. (Steve Mitchell/USA Today Sports)

By Holly Anderson

So, about Matthew Thomas’ request for a release from his Florida State scholarship: It turns out that, as Thomas intimated last week, the ‘Noles are not super eager to let a five-star linebacker, the latest in a long line of Miami’s Booker T. Washington High football products, get out before he even gets there. From the Tallahassee Democrat: “During a break at the ACC spring meetings here Tuesday morning, FSU athletic director Randy Spetman told the Democrat that the school was surprised by Thomas’ request and has no intention of releasing him from his LOI.”

Thomas explained last week that he signed with FSU at the behest of his mother. Ranked as the nation’s second-best linebacker in the class of 2013 by Rivals.com, Thomas would prefer to attend Georgia or USC.

Wes Lunt was pretty much made to be a Big 12 quarterback by virtue of being named Wes Lunt. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

By Holly Anderson

Three talented quarterbacks in the fold at the same time is a nice problem to have, but one Oklahoma State won’t be wrangling with in the near future. Wes Lunt, who made headlines last season as the Cowboys’ first true freshman starting quarterback in over a half-century, has announced his intent to transfer out of Stillwater. Lunt released the following statement through the school’s sports information department:

“This was not a decision I took lightly, but it is a decision that I felt was right for me. I would like to express my sincerest gratitude to the entire Oklahoma State University community. Specifically, I would like to thank the coaches, players, and the whole OSU football family. I wish the Cowboys the best of luck in the future.”

Lunt’s 2012 campaign was an injury-prone affair, and he finished with just five starts. This is, however, Oklahoma State, which makes Lunt’s 1,100-yard passing total the furthest thing from surprising. His departure leaves Clint Chelf and J.W. Walsh as the friskiest ponies in Gundy’s quarterbacking stable.

After passing for 2,764 yards in 2012, Andrew Manley will transfer from New Mexico State. (John Reed/US Presswire)

By Zac Ellis

The quarterback who started all 12 games for New Mexico State in 2012 will transfer from the program. Redshirt junior Andrew Manley has been granted his release by head coach Doug Martin, the school announced on Wednesday.

“We wish Andrew all the best,” Martin said. “Obviously with all the changes in the offensive system he didn’t fit in as well the way he may have in the past. The competition at quarterback was going to be tougher for him this season, as well as some of the family matters he has, he wanted to get closer to home. We support Andrew and his decision.”

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Touted linebacker Matthew Thomas has asked for a release from his FSU scholarship. (Steve Mitchell/USA Today Sports)

By Zac Ellis

One of Florida State’s most prized recruits in the class of 2013 might never set foot on campus. Five-star linebacker Matthew Thomas has asked Seminoles coaches for a release from his scholarship, the Miami Herald reports.

The nation’s No. 2 linebacker according to Rivals.com, Thomas told the Herald he informed Florida State coaches that he doesn’t plan to report to campus in the fall. Thomas said he wasn’t fully committed to signing with the Seminoles when originally announced his decision in February.

“I’ve told them it’s nothing personal. I just didn’t make the decision I really wanted to on Signing Day,” said Thomas, who picked the Seminoles over USC, Georgia and Miami.

“What happened was on Signing Day I wasn’t sure who I wanted to sign with. I had issues with different schools. But when I told my mom I didn’t want to sign with anybody and wait and give it a few days she said I couldn’t do that. She said, ‘FSU is a good school –- pick them. It’s close to home.’ I wasn’t agreeing with it. But I felt like I was being disrespectful to her if I didn’t sign. So I made her happy.”

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Quarterback Brandon Mitchell will transfer from Arkansas heading into the 2013 season. (Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)

By Zac Ellis

Arkansas quarterback Brandon Mitchell will transfer to another program, the school announced on Monday. Mitchell will graduate from Arkansas this summer and be eligible to play immediately elsewhere this fall.

In a statement, coach Bret Bielema also announced defensive end Austin Flynn, safety Defonta Lowe and kick returner Keante Minor were granted releases.

“After concluding post-spring meetings with every member of our team, Austin Flynn, Defonta Lowe, Keante Minor and Brandon Mitchell have been granted their release from the University of Arkansas football program. Through meetings with these student-athletes, a determination was made that it would be mutually beneficial for them to pursue their goals elsewhere. Brandon is on track to earn his degree this summer and utilize the NCAA graduate transfer exception to play immediately this fall. We fully support them and wish them all the best moving forward.”

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After deciding to transfer from PSU, Steven Bench is considering Mississippi State. (Matthew Holst/Getty Images)

By Zac Ellis

A former Penn State quarterback could be making his way to the SEC. Steven Bench, who announced his decision to transfer from Penn State on April 24, is considering heading to Mississippi State, The Dispatch in Columbus, Miss., reports.

Last week, ESPN reported Bench was looking into a handful of destinations, particularly USF and Mississippi State. But national reports have since focused on the Bulldogs, and Bench told The Dispatch that speculation surrounding his interest in Mississippi State is “very accurate.”

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Ex-FSU QB Clint Trickett has announced his Tudor’s Biscuit World transfer to West Virginia. (Cliff Welch/Icon SMI)

It's official, I will finish my academic/athletic career at WVU. This is a dream come true to be playin for the state I love. #CountryRoads—
Clint Trickett (@ClintTrickett9) May 01, 2013

By Zac Ellis

Clint Trickett has found a new home. The former Florida State quarterback, who opted to transfer from the Seminoles last month, will join West Virginia. Trickett confirmed the news on his Twitter account Wednesday morning.

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Steven Bench telling QB coach Charlie Fisher how excited he is about the Christian Hackenberg era, probably. (AP)

By Zac Ellis

Sophomore quarterback Steven Bench has been granted his release from Penn State, the school announced on Wednesday. Bench will complete the spring semester at the university before transferring elsewhere.

“I have been meeting with all the players this week with my evaluation of where they are at related to football and academics and to discuss what they need to work on this summer,” Penn State coach Bill O’Brien said. “After meeting with Steven, he informed me he wants to play elsewhere. We want what is best for Steven. I want to thank him for his contributions to the program. We wish Steven the best in the future and will assist him anyway we can.”

Bench saw action in two games as a true freshman in 2012, finishing 2-of-8 passing for 12 yards while backing up Matt McGloin. O’Brien said sophomore Tyler Ferguson and freshmen Christian Hackenberg, D.J. Crook and Austin Whipple will compete for the starting job this fall.

I've decided to leave Penn State and go to a school that will give me the opportunity to compete for the QB spot and reach my full potential—
Steven Bench (@SBench12) April 24, 2013

Schools are not taking advantage of the NCAA’s multiyear scholarship policy, per a report. (Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

By Zac Ellis

Few athletes are benefiting from multiyear scholarships, according to a report by the Chronicle for Higher Education. After the NCAA adopted a policy last year to allow schools to offer multiyear financial aid to student-athletes, the assumption was that many universities would take advantage. However, that hasn’t been the case.

Only six schools in the six major conferences signed at least 24 multiyear scholarships across all sports over the past year: Florida (60), Ohio State (47), NC State (40), Michigan State (30), Arizona State (27) and Auburn (27). Programs tend to prefer single-year scholarships with the option to renew annually.

The multiyear policy was adopted to give student-athletes more rights and discourage the cutting of scholarships on the basis of athletic performance. Many programs still disagree with the idea of a guaranteed four-year scholarship, maintaining that the majority of single-year scholarships are renewed each year.

“Who gets a four-year, $120K deal guaranteed at age 17?” Christine A. Plonsky, women’s athletic director at the University of Texas, wrote in an e-mail to The Chronicle. “The last thing young people need right now is more entitlement.”

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