USC football: Trojans transfer portal linebacker additions named nation's 'best haul'

Expectations are high for Oklahoma State transfer Mason Cobb and Georgia State transfer Jamil Muhammad

College football writer Chris Hummer put out a list of the "top transfer portal hauls by position" on 247Sports.com and USC made the cut in three key areas.

Hummer named USC's linebacker additions of Oklahoma State transfer Mason Cobb and Georgia State transfer Jamil Muhammad as the best in the country.

"Few units needed to upgrade more than USC’s defense," he wrote. "The Trojans were successful in doing so, especially at the linebacker position where a formerly thin unit looks like it’ll feature plenty of depth...USC is the only FBS team with two top 20 linebacker transfers – Cobb (No. 3), Muhammad (No. 18)."

Cobb was named a second team All-Big 12 selection last season. He made a team-high 96 tackles for the Cowboys.

Muhammad plays outside linebacker, but he may factor in as an edge defender for the Trojans. His 72.4 Pro Football Focus grade for defense is the highest of any returning USC linebackers or linebacker transfer additions. Last season, Muhammad made 44 tackles and recorded five tackles for loss.

USC's adds on the offensive and defensive lines were also mentioned by Hummer as "others under consideration" for the best transfer units in the country. 

The Trojans brought in three offensive linemen in Washington State transfer Jarrett Kingston and Florida transfers Michael Tarquin and Ethan White. All three are projected to start for USC in the fall. 

USC also added three defensive linemen in Arizona transfer Kyon Barrs, Texas A&M transfer Anthony Lucas and Purdue transfer Jack Sullivan. 

- College football transfer trends: Offensive linemen and linebackers 'adapt quickest,' per ESPN data