STATE COLLEGE, Pa. >> The NCAA rule connected to Penn State’s sanctions that had the earliest impact on the football program is set to expire Thursday.

School officials say the rule allowing Nittany Lions to transfer without having to sit out a year elapses Aug. 1.

On that front at least, Penn State is back on a level playing field with other FBS schools a year after the NCAA levied its landmark penalties for the Jerry Sandusky child sex abuse scandal.

Training camp begins Monday, and the mood around the program is much different than a year ago when schools were trying to cherry-pick Nittany Lions in what equated to a college version of NFL free agency.

Athletic director Dave Joyner has said Thursday represents an emotional milestone for the program.