USC Trojans Hosting Elite Transfer Portal Linebacker Jordan Bass From Pitt

The USC Trojans will host former Pitt linebacker Jordan Bass for an official visit starting Thursday, Jan. 2. The former four-star prospect in the 2023 cycle will have two seasons of eligibility remaining. Can USC land the talented linebacker?

Oct 24, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers linebacker Jordan Bass (20) tackles Syracuse Orange wide receiver Emanuel Ross (18) during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images / Barry Reeger-Imagn Images

The USC Trojans will host former Pitt linebacker Jordan Bass for an official visit starting Thursday, Jan. 2. The sophomore linebacker was a highly sought-after prospect in the 2023 recruiting cycle coming out of Phoebus (VA) high school. Bass was the No. 16 linebacker and No. 165 overall prospect, per the On3 Industry Rankings. At 6-foot-4 and 230lbs, Bass possesses tremendous size for the position. He will have two seasons of eligibility remaining. 

Bass appeared in 10 games, with one start as a true freshman in 2023, registering 11 tackles, including two for loss. This past season, he played in nine games and tallied 14 tackles, including four for loss and one sack before suffering a season-ending injury. Bass entered the transfer portal on Dec. 20. 

Oct 24, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers linebacker Jordan Bass (20) tackles Syracuse Orange wide receiver Emanuel Ross (18) during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images / Barry Reeger-Imagn Images

The Trojans will be losing a ton of experience at the linebacker position with Easton Mascarenas-Arnold and Mason Cobb out of eligibility. Mascarenas-Arnold played very well in his lone season in the Cardinal and Gold, registering a team high 95 tackles, including five for loss, three sacks and two interceptions. He stepped in immediately with his brother, safety Akili Arnold and helped revamp a Trojans defense that struggled mightily in 2023.

Cobb ranked second on the team in tackles with 72, including 2.5 for loss and and two interceptions. Because the Trojans were thin at linebacker in terms of depth and experience when Eric Gentry was lost for the regular season following their week 4 win over Wisconsin, Masceranas-Arnold and Cobb played a majority of the snaps. The durability between the two was huge for a defense that was plagued by injuries throughout the season. 

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Freshman Desman Stephens II had bright moments during his rookie campaign and is expected to take on a larger role in 2025. Elijah Newby, a four-star prospect and No. 9 ranked linebacker according to the the On3 Industry Rankings in 2024 cycle is also a name to keep an eye on to earn more playing time in 2025. 

The Trojans signed just one linebacker during the early national signing period for the 2025 cycle in San Clemente (CA) four-star and top 100 prospect Matai Tagoa’i. 

USC has been working to rebuild its defense at key spots in the transfer portal. They have signed three players that are expected to be immediate contributors for D'Anton Lynn next season, former Kentucky defensive lineman Keeshawn Silver, former Georgia defensive lineman Jamaal Jarrett and former San Jose State cornerback DJ Harvey.

Sep 20, 2024; Pullman, Washington, USA; San Jose State Spartans defensive back DJ Harvey (2) intercepts the ball in front of Washington State Cougars wide receiver Kris Hutson (1) in OT at Gesa Field at Martin Stadium. Washington State Cougars won 54-52 in double overtime. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-Imagn Images / James Snook-Imagn Images

Hutchinson C.C. running back and UCF commit Waymond Jordan Jr. is also on campus for an official visit. The Trojans have already signed one running back in the transfer portal, Eli Sanders from New Mexico. 

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