USC Football: Upperclassman Defender Abandoning Trojans For Transfer Portal

Alex Kirschenbaum | Apr 16, 2024

Nov 26, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Avery Davis gets roughed up by Stanley Tau'ofo'ou. / Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

A veteran USC Trojans defender will not serve under new defensive coordinator D'Anton Lynn this season, after all.

Sources inform Pete Nakos of On3 that Trojans senior defensive lineman Stanley Tau'ofo'ou is entering the NCAA's transfer portal. He'll be a graduate student at his next destination.

As Nakos notes, the 6'2", 275-pound Simi Valley native suited up in 31 career contests. Per College Football Reference, he's notched 55 career tackles (34 solo, 21 assisted), 7.5 tackles for loss, three recovered fumbles and a sack. Last year with the Trojans, he notched nine total tackles (seven solo, two assisted), one recovered fumble and 0.5 tackles for loss.

His biggest year in terms of output came in 2022, when he registered 27 total tackles (21 solo), 5.5 tackles for loss, two recovered fumbles, and the aforementioned single sack of his collegiate career thus far.

Lincoln Riley's USC squad is poised to totally revamp itself this season. The club is taking a concerted effort with regards to its defense, especially, fully reconfiguring that side of the field following a disappointing year on that front, one so disappointing that it compelled Riley to fire former DC Alex Grinch, his longtime friend and colleague, midseason.