Silas Redd’s transition from Penn State to USC is ‘very challenging’

Silas Redd makes it look easy.

The way he runs with the football. His smooth transition from Penn State to USC. And the comfortable manner he has with new coaches, teammates and reporters.

But it’s not easy, of course, to pick up, leave friends and family and quickly move across the country to a new situation.

“I don’t wear my emotions on my sleeve,” the junior tailback said after practice Wednesday. “I’ve got to lock in when I step between the lines, but it is very challenging.”

It’s been nearly three weeks since Redd arrived in Los Angeles in the aftermath of NCAA sanctions handed down against Penn State.

He is not homesick, but he texts his mother every day and his father and siblings as often as possible. State College, Pa., was about a 300-mile commute from his hometown of Norwalk, Conn. USC is about 2,800 miles away.

“It will be weird because my parents won’t be able to make it to every game,” Redd said. “That’s just a little farfetched.”

Redd remains in contact with former Penn State teammates, including receiver Justin Brown, who transferred to Oklahoma, and linebacker Khairi Fortt, now at California.

“Those guys are pretty much getting acclimated like I am,” he said. “It’s been a smooth transition.”

Redd, who rushed for 1,241 yards and seven touchdowns last season, is looking forward to the Sept. 1 opener against Hawaii, when he will get the opportunity to translate what he’s learned on the practice field and apply it in a game for the Trojans.

Senior Curtis McNeal is the returning starter, but Redd has shown he will be a welcome addition.

Redd is still attempting to master the playbook.

“I’m still trying to learn the ins and outs,” he said. “I made a couple mental mistakes, but nothing we can’t correct before Hawaii.”

Brown makes move

Sophomore cornerback Anthony Brown worked another day with the first-team defense opposite junior Nickell Robey.

Brown started two games last season after Torin Harris was sidelined because of injury. Brown’s season ended when he suffered a broken ankle that required surgery, opening the door for Isiah Wiley to start the final six games.

Harris remains out and Wiley has not practiced while awaiting academic clearance.

Brown said he improved his skills, even when injured, by observing and learning from Robey.

“Watching Nickell and following in his footsteps put me in this position where I am right now,” he said.

Quick hits

Sophomore receiver George Farmer had several impressive catches and said he was “100%” after being slowed earlier in training camp because of a hamstring strain. Coach Lane Kiffin said freshman Nelson Agholor “really made a jump” in competition with Farmer and junior De’Von Flournoy for the No. 3 receiver spot. ... The Trojans went through a crisp practice without pads. Kiffin acknowledged that some players might be dragging a bit after 17 consecutive days of practice. “You’re not really to the game week, but you’ve been going against each other for so long, so we just change things up,” he said.

gary.klein@latimes.com

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