USC Football: Five Areas of Need in Transfer Portal for Trojans
With USC heading to the Big Ten next year, Head Coach Lincoln Riley knows the roster has to evolve a bit from where it's been.
Seemingly, a big point of emphasis this offseason will be to enhance the size of the front seven as well as the offensive line. USC was rather inconsistent this past year when it came to winning the line-of-scrimmage battle. While the Big Ten might be generally less athletic than the Pac-12, it's certainly a bigger, more physical conference.
This piece will look at five position groups where the Trojans should seek help via the transfer portal. With a renewed sense of excitement via the hiring of DC D'Anton Lynn, there's plenty of positive buzz humming through the program at this time.
QUARTERBACK
Item one on the list: Replace Caleb Williams.
It's a near certainty that the Heisman Trophy winner will move on to the NFL. As such, the Trojans will be left with two scholarship QBs in the form of Miller Moss and Malachi Nelson. Moss has been a loyal Trojan sticking around rather than seeking a job elsewhere. Nelson is a player with a lot of natural talent, though still needs some polish.
On the surface, neither appears to be ready for the rigors of the Big Ten -- especially if USC wants to contend for a conference title. As such, it's been no surprise to see reports of Riley out on the road seeking a veteran with high-level experience.
The two most likely options: Wazzu's Cam Ward and K-State's Will Howard. Riley did reportedly visit Howard in Manhattan, Kansas somewhat recently. He's a big athlete with some dual-threat ability. Howard might end up being the best fit with his ability to push the ball downfield vertically.
Other potential targets: Maalik Murphy
DEFENSIVE LINE
While Bear Alexander was a 'hit' in the transfer portal a year ago, Anthony Lucas and Kyron Barrs were not. The defensive front in general did look a bit small compared to some of the other teams USC played.
Without a doubt, the defense expects to be revamped with the addition of Lynn. A longtime coach with the Baltimore Ravens, Lynn operates his defense with tons of versatility. As you saw this year with UCLA, he had no issue pushing his starting defensive ends inside as pass rushers on third-down situations.
On first and second downs, the line was normally anchored with two 320-pounders clogging the middle.
When it comes to the portal itself, one big target is Vanderbilt DE Nate Clifton. He'd be a fantastic fit for his defense -- and frankly the team. A former team captain for the Commodores, he cut his teeth against competition in arguably the best conference in America. Reportedly, he's visiting USC the weekend of Dec. 9. Without a doubt, Clifton would be an immediate impact player from the jump.
Speaking of interior help, Walter Nolen -- widely considered the best player in the portal -- is another guy USC would love to land. The former 5-star prospect left Texas A&M and has since garnered interest from every program under the sun. The stud defensive tackle is considering a host of schools, and USC should be one of them.
Other potential targets: Samuel Okunola, RJ Oben, Princeley Umanmielen, Joey Slackman, Fadil Diggs
RUNNING BACK
MarShawn Lloyd decided to leave school for the NFL Draft. Austin Jones has exhausted his eligibility, and Darwin Barlow decided to transfer from the university.
As a result, USC is left with some talented -- albeit inexperienced players in Quinten Joyner, A'Marion Peterson, and incoming freshman Bryan Jackson.
Joyner flashed some huge ability this year in limited snaps. While he should be a fixture next year, the Trojans would also like to add someone with a proven track record (akin to what Jones brought USC a few years ago).
Arkansas running back Raheim Sanders had an injury-prone 2023 season -- though he was a monster performer in 2022 (rushing for over 1,400 yards). Being a bigger back, he could make some sense in this running back room. It's also been reported that the Trojans have offered Tennessee Martin rusher Samuel Franklin.
Other potential targets: Jayden McGowan, Jordan Waters
OFFENSIVE LINE
Pass protection wasn't great a season ago. When breaking in a new quarterback -- presumably without the playmaking ability or elusiveness of Williams -- the margin for error shrinks considerably.
Center Justin Dedich will be graduating. Jarrett Kingston and Michael Tarquin are redshirt seniors. The stalwart of the line -- Jonah Monheim -- could leave early for the NFL.
It's no surprise to see the staff being aggressive in offering offensive linemen within the portal. Houston's Reuben Unije reportedly was offered and could visit (though Colorado might be tough to beat). Spencer Brown also hauled in an offer. He started this past year as a right tackle for Michigan State.
Other potential targets: Drew Azzopardi, Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson, Remington Strickland, Maurice Rodrigues (JUCO), Fernando Carmona, Zeke Correll, Carter Smith, Zach Carpenter
DEFENSIVE BACK
Stud safety Calen Bullock has long been rumored to be making the jump to the NFL after this season. Former transfer Christian Roland-Wallace was one of the team's more dependable players in the secondary this year. However, he'll be moving to the next level.
The unit as a whole needs to be more consistent. It also could use a jolt of talent, both at corner and at safety.
With Jonathan Smith leaving Corvallis for East Lansing, several OSU players entered the portal. Two of them have garnered heavy interest from USC right away. Akili Arnold starred at safety for the Beavers this year. He's not only a ballhawk on the back end, but he plays with both toughness and intelligence. Hailing from Mission Viejo, it wouldn't be a shock to see him end up a Trojan.
Teammate Jermod McCoy also pulled in an offer. The corner from Texas played quite well as a true freshman this past year. Due to his upside, there will be plenty of competition for McCoy nationally.,
One other name to note is Kamari Ramsey. The redshirt freshman out of Los Angeles was the best player in UCLA's secondary this past year. When he entered the portal, many assumed it would be only a matter of time until he followed Lynn over to the Coliseum. If he does, Ramsey is a Day 1 starter for the Trojans. He has the look of a future NFL player.
Other potential targets: Will Lee, Andrew Mukuba, Ethan Robinson, Upton Stout, Brandon Turnage,
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