USC Football: Vanderbilt Defensive Lineman Will Transfer To USC

The Trojans bolster their defensive front with a proven playmaker out of the SEC

Former Vanderbilt defensive tackle Nate Clifton announced that he was going to transfer schools back in November. The 6'5 280 pound Clifton has decided to take his talents to USC, he announced on Twitter today.

Clifton is the second transfer portal pickup for the club during this all-important recruiting period. 

On3 is reporting that in addition to a productive on-campus visit that Clifton took, new Trojan defensive coordinator D'Anton Lynn also played a role in the commitment of Clifton. Here's more from On3's Marshall Levenson:

"Lynn wasted no time trying to sell Clifton on playing in his defense. Clifton tells me Lynn named UCLA’s Laiatu Latu as a reference point of what development in his defense could look like. For those who do not know, Latu is expected to be a first round selection in the upcoming NFL Draft."

Clifton lined up mostly as an interior defensive lineman in the Vanderbilt defense, so the comp between Latu (who played defensive end) and Clifton might be a stretch. But given Clifton's production at Vanderbilt (93 tackles to pair with 7.5 sacks over five seasons), the potential is there. 

✌🏽#Fighton pic.twitter.com/uP4f2wnQLN

— Nate Clifton (@Nate_Cliff_) December 11, 2023

It's hard to say where Clifton will be lining up for the Trojans next season given that D-coordinator Lynn's scheme has yet to be seen on the field at USC.

But this get for Lynn is in line with the type of player he and head coach Lincoln Riley had been aiming for. Clifton brings size and versatility to the Trojan defensive front.  He will be finishing out his last year of eligibility with USC.

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