USC Football: Which Incoming Transfer Will Have The Biggest Impact In 2024?

With the first transfer window winding down, we take stock of who is coming in and who'll have the biggest impact in USC's Big 10 debut

With the USC Football roster all but set for winter workouts/spring practices, AllTrojans.com decided to gauge who out of the 11 incoming transfers might have the greatest impact in 2024. Last year, it was without a doubt former Georgia Bulldog defensive tackle Bear Alexander. He provided consistency amidst a flurry of instability that plagued the Trojan front seven, finishing 2023 with 47 total tackles. 

Here is a list of incoming transfers as of today, January 24th. 

1. Hank Pepper - Long Snapper - Michigan State
2. Jaden Richardson - WR - Tufts University (Division Three)
3. Jo'Quavious Marks - RB - Mississippi State
4. Jayden Maiava - QB - UNLV
5. Nate Clifton - DL - Vanderbilt
6. Isaiah Raikes - DL - Texas A&M
7. Easton Mascarenas-Arnold - LB - Oregon State
8. DeCarlos Nicholson - CB - Mississippi State
9. John Humphrey - CB - UCLA
10. Akili Arnold - S - Oregon State
11. Kamari Ramsey - S - UCLA

Let's whittle down this list. Who of these 11 players has the best chance at starting? With Miller Moss's 6-touchdown performance in the Holiday Bowl, it's hard to imagine quarterback Jayden Maiava coming into the mix and knocking Moss off. But, Maiava does have significantly more experience than Moss (just not in Lincoln Riley's system). Maiava won't start, at least not right away. 

With how deep USC will be next season, despite several key losses to the NFL Draft and transfer portal, the odds that Jaden Richardson becomes WR1 for the Trojans are slim. He does, however, have the most experience in that wide receiver room. 

Nate Clifton (Vanderbilt) and Isaiah Raikes both have a strong case to be made, given the situation they're coming into at USC. There's a lot of room for improvement up front, and Clifton was really productive during his time in the SEC. Here is one of Clifton's best plays at Vanderbilt, where he shows off some versatility that defensive coordinator D'Anton Lynn covets. 

Nate Clifton who had 93 tackles, 12.5 TFL and 7.5 sacks has transferred to USC. He has imposing size at 6-5 267.

pic.twitter.com/KhnLMWtzed

— WestCoastCFB (@WestCoastCFB) December 11, 2023

Jo'Quavious Marks averaged about 4.5 yards per attempt through 4 solid years in an air raider offense similar to Lincoln Riley's. On the offensive side of the ball, he is probably poised to have the biggest role of all the incoming transfers. 

Oregon State transfers (and brothers) Easton Mascarenas-Arnold (linebacker) and Akili Arnold (safety) are both proven defenders. Both had 2 interceptions and over 25 tackles each last season. Cornerbacks DeCarlos Nicholson (Mississippi State) and John Humphrey (UCLA) also look like they'll be in the mix for big roles in 2024, but its UCLA safety Kamari Ramsey that made the biggest splash in terms of incoming defensive transfers. He was the third best safety available in the portal this winter, according to 247 Sports. 

The familiarity between D'Anton Lynn and Kamari Ramsey should catapult Ramsey up the depth chart, and when players can think less (presumably because they already know their responsibility) they tend to play faster and better. If Ramsey can mesh with the Trojan secondary, he is poised for a breakout year for the Trojans.