USC Trojans Winners Or Losers Of Transfer Portal? Lincoln Riley's Big Departures, Additions

Are the USC Trojans transfer portal winners or losers? 21 players have entered the portal, including key contributors from last season, receivers Zachariah Branch, Duce Robinson and Kyron Hudson, and offensive linemen Emmanuel Pregnon and Mason Murphy.

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

It has been a month since the transfer portal officially opened on Dec. 9 and there has been no shortage of movement involving the USC Trojans. They have seen 21 players enter the portal, including key contributions from this past season, receivers Zachariah Branch, Duce Robinson and Kyron Hudson, and offensive linemen Emmanuel Pregnon and Mason Murphy. 

However, as of late the Trojans have started to pick up momentum in the portal, landing several commitments from players that are expected to step in and have an immediate impact. So are the Trojans winners or losers of the winter transfer portal window? 

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

USC needed to reload their running back room with Woody Marks headed off to the NFL after becoming the program’s first 1,000-yard rusher since 2017. Second leading rusher Quinten Joyner entered the portal and has since transferred to Texas Tech.

The Trojans landed former New Mexico running back Eli Sanders and the No. 1 junior college running back Waymond Jordan via the portal. Sanders rushed for 1,063 yards and nine touchdowns, while averaging 7.2 yards per carry for the Lobos in 2024. Jordan rushed for 1,612 yards and 20 touchdowns for the junior college national champions Hutchinson CC (Kan.) this past season. The pair will join Bryan Jackson and A"Marion Peterson in a loaded backfield.

Offensive line is also a massive need with three starters departing. Former Purdue interior offensive lineman DJ Wingfield signed with USC on Sunday, Jan. 5. The Trojans would still like to add more experience on the offensive front, but they did have a number of players step in their win over Texas A&M in the Las Vegas Bowl, including center Kilian O’Connor, and offensive tackles Tobias Raymond and Justin Tauanuu. The Trojans also signed four offensive lineman in the 2025 recruiting cycle. Still, expect them to be heavy buyers during this portal cycle and in the spring. 

USC defensive line coach Eric Henderson has been hot on the recruiting trail, signing former Kentucky defensive lineman Keeshawn Silver and Georgia defensive lineman Jamaal Jarrett to beef up the front. These moves come on the heels of the Trojans landing five-star Jahkeem Stewart in this most recruiting cycle. And with players like Kameryn Fountain, Anthony Lucas, Devan Thompkins and Braylan Shelby returning in 2025, USC is building a defensive front that could create problems in the Big Ten. 

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Former San Jose State cornerback DJ Harvey returns home for his final season of eligibility. He is the godbrother of USC safety Kamari Ramsey, the two also played together at Sierra Canyon (CA) high school. Harvey fills an immediate need with four Trojan cornerbacks out of eligibility. USC would still like to add more experience, but they do have 2024 four-star recruits Marcelles Williams and Isaiah Rubin and Texas native Braylon Conley ready to take on a larger role. 2023 four-star recruit Maliki Crawford will also return after suffering a season-ending injury in fall camp. 

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

Mountain West Freshman of the Year Caden Chittenden out of UNLV will takeover kicking duties with Michael Lantz out of eligibility. There are still plenty of positions the Trojans would like to add in the portal. 

On the surface losing former five-star receivers Branch and Robinson is a big loss, but the Trojans retained arguably their top two receivers from that 2023 recruiting class in Makai Lemon and Ja’Kobi Lane. However, with Hudson also leaving and Kyle Ford out of eligibility, the Trojans are losing four of its top six pass-catchers and would like to add more experience at the position. 

The Trojans are losing its top two tacklers in linebackers Easton Mascarenas-Arnold and Mason Cobb, with both being out of eligibility. Freshman Desman Stephens II played significant snaps throughout the season and is expected to take on a larger role with 2024 four-star recruit Elijah Newby in 2025. USC will also get back star linebacker Eric Gentry back for a full season. 

The total number of players the Trojans have lost in the portal is large but based on what coach Lincoln Riley has done as of late, bringing in several players that can contribute immediately, USC has turned into a winner of the transfer portal.

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