USC Trojans, Lincoln Riley Biggest Transfer Portal Loser?

The USC Trojans have lost a staggering 19 players to the transfer portal. Is the aura of the USC football program dwindling, and if so, why?

Oct 19, 2024; College Park, Maryland, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley walks onto the field during the second half Maryland Terrapins at SECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images / Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

The USC Trojans have had a brutal stretch ever since the transfer portal opened. The Trojans have had a whopping 19 players from the 2024 roster announce their intention to enter the transfer portal. On the flip side, USC has only gotten 2 incoming transfers to this point. 

Have coach Lincoln Riley and the Trojans been the biggest losers thus far in the transfer portal?

USC Loses 19 Players to Portal

Nov 30, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans running back Quinten Joyner (0) runs the ball ahead of Notre Dame Fighting Irish safety Xavier Watts (0) during the second half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images / Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

The transfer portal has been open for 9 days and the USC Trojans have already 19 players from their 2024 roster enter it. Simply put, it has been a disaster. Many of the players that have left were integral parts to the Trojans team this year and were part of the future. 

The USC receiving core has taken a huge hit. The Trojans have lost wide receivers Zachariah Branch, Tyron Hudson, and Duce Robinson.

The running back USC was hoping would take over for Woody Marks next season would be Quinten Joyner. Joyner too entered the portal. 

Many of these players were set to have big roles next season but still opted to move on. It’s not very common for this to happen at a program like USC, especially when there isn’t a head coaching change on the horizon. 

MORE: USC Trojans Program Falling Apart Under Lincoln Riley? Top Recruiting Classes Transferring

MORE: Georgia Bulldogs, Florida Gators Targeting Transfer Portal Receiver Zachariah Branch

MORE: Chicago Bears Rookie Caleb Williams On Pace To Break NFL Record Set By Aaron Rodgers

Future of USC Trojans Up in the Air

Nov 30, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley leaves the field after the game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The USC Trojans are one of the most iconic brands in college football. The Trojans have won countless national championships and have more Heisman Trophy winners than any other school in the country. USC is located in the sun-soaked city of Los Angeles, California. Home of Hollywood, stars, beaches, etc. It’s the second biggest media market in the United States. Yet, playing for the USC football program has never seemed less-attractive than it does now. 

Josh Pate of CBS Sports spoke on this. It is truly mind boggling.

How has USC screwed this era up so badly? pic.twitter.com/dntBEBy93P

— Josh Pate (@JoshPateCFB) December 18, 2024

In a college football world fueled by NIL, uncapped spending, and player movement whenever and wherever, USC has fallen behind. 

The more time that passes on, the more people don’t care or remember about the hey-day of USC football. 

Take a high school recruit in 2025. The Trojans haven’t consistently been competing for national titles or even conference titles for over a decade now. That recruit has only seen USC as a middling program trying to find their footing in the college football landscape in front of half empty Los Angeles Coliseum crowds. 

Programs like Georgia, Alabama, Ohio State, Oregon, and Michigan are the schools that are more attractive. They have consistently been in the mix for the College Football Playoff and National Championships over the past 6-7 years. That is something that has to stand out to a recruit.

Things have to change fast for USC, or they will be left in the dust as the sport passes them by.

MORE: Ohio State Buckeyes to Land Transfer Portal Running Back Quinten Joyner From USC?

MORE: USC Trojans Offensive Lineman Elijah Paige 'Never Had Interest' in Transfer Portal

MORE: Quarterback Miller Moss Transfers to Louisville From USC Trojans, Lincoln Riley

MORE: USC Trojans Football Schedule: Grueling Road Opponents, Intriguing Home Slate In 2025