How USC football should attack the transfer portal, which is now open

As of midnight ET today, January 2, the college football transfer portal is officially open.

This represents the very important last phase of roster construction that the USC football program absolutely needs to get right. The Trojans have retained a lot of key talent from the 2025 roster and have the No. 1 freshman class in the nation coming to campus in 2026. But they will not compete for a national title if they don’t also get a few key veterans in the transfer portal at positions of need.

What are those positions of need? Who could USC recruit to fill them?

Here’s my opening day guide to USC’s needs in the college football transfer portal.

Where USC stands right now

As of Friday morning, 15 Trojans from the 2025 roster have announced that they will be transferring out of USC this offseason and likely heading to another school. Most notably, DT Devan Thompkins, TE Walker Lyons, CB Braylon Conley and RB Bryan Jackson are not sticking around.

USC also has one incoming transfer already committed to USC: former Oklahoma State CB Carrington Pierce, who is the younger brother of current USC safety Christian Pierce.

USC needs a trustworthy wide receiver

USC will have a lot of talent in its wide receiver room in 2026, don’t get me wrong.

Tanook Hines seems poised to be the WR1 after hauling in 6 catches for 163 yards in the Alamo Bowl against TCU. He already seems to have great chemistry with USC quarterback Jayden Maiava, and his experience as the WR3 for USC this season should serve him well next year.

In addition, I have high hopes for Utah transfer Zaccharyus Williams, who was injured for most of 2025. And, USC is bringing in a whopping four four-star receivers in its freshman class in 2026: Kayden Dixon-Wyatt, Ethan “Boobie” Feaster, Trent Mosley and Luc Weaver.

But expecting a freshman wideout to be a star immediately is a lot of pressure, and it rarely happens at USC. The closest thing USC has had to a star freshman WR in the Lincoln Riley era was either Hines this year or Zachariah Branch in 2023, and neither of those players were depended on to take on a large share of the passing volume. They were stars at moments, not consistently over the entire season.

Realistic outlook

I think, the best case scenario USC can hope for is that Hines, Williams and one of the freshman wideouts prove capable of becoming starters. But the Trojans can’t count on that happening, because all of their wideouts except Hines have something to prove before USC can make them starters.

USC has no excuse not to get a proven veteran wide receiver in the transfer portal. If the young players develop fast and overtake USC’s veteran addition on the depth chart, great. But they need a safety plan in case there are growing pains.

The dream and the reality

Every team’s dream this offseason would be to land former Auburn five-star wideout Cam Coleman, and so I’ll name him as someone USC should consider. Coleman has 93 catches for 1,306 yards and 13 touchdowns in his two year career. Coleman is an athletic freak with proven production. Prospects of his caliber don’t hit the portal too often.

But even if USC misses on Coleman I’d be really really happy if the Trojans got a player like former Michigan State wideout Nick Marsh. Trojan fans will remember Marsh from when USC played Michigan State earlier in the season. Marsh has similar stats to Coleman in his two seasons: 100 catches, 1,311 yards and 9 touchdowns. If Marsh was able to put up those numbers with the inconsistent Aidan Chiles under center and a lack of offensive talent around him, imagine what he could do with Maiava throwing him the football.

Notre Dame is the favorite to land Marsh right now, so the Trojans should swoop in and steal him from their rival.

Defensive line

The outlook on the defensive line is very similar to the wide receiver room. Several decent players like Jahkeem Stewart and Kam Crawford are returning, USC has freshman stars coming in like Jaimeon Winfield and Luke Wafle. But they lack a proven, veteran star heading into 2026.

Just like at wide receiver, a guy named Coleman is considered the No. 1 prospect. Chaz Coleman out of Penn State has the physical attributes that have scouts salivating. But, he is inexperienced: he had only 8 tackles and 1 sack this season, the first of his collegiate career. I don’t actually think he would be the best target for USC. I definitely wouldn’t complain if the Trojans picked him up, but I don’t think he should be depended on to be a starter.

There are two players I believe are ideal candidates for USC on the defensive line. First: former Kansas State defensive end Tobi Osunsanmi. He’s entering his fifth season of college football in 2026. He’s gotten better every season, and had 4 sacks in 2025 which would have ranked third on the Trojans. He also has familiarity with new USC stength coach Trumain Carroll, who used to coach at Kansas State. He’s a perfect fit.

Other options

The other player USC should heavily recruit is former Florida EDGE rusher Jayden Woods. Woods was just a freshman last season for the Gators, but he recorded 27 total tackles, 3.5 sacks, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, a pass breakup and an interception.

That’s a great blend of youth and promise that has manifested itself in actual results on the football field. The Trojans will have plenty of projects on the defensive line this offseason; getting a player who is young but already comfortable at the collegiate level would be fantastic.

Linebacker

USC will have to navigate the loss of Eric Gentry this offseason, leaving Desman Stephens II and Jadyn Walker to lead the linebacker room. Both players are athletic and physical but had some rough moments during the season with communication, knowing where to be on the field and general consistency. Talanoa Ili and Shaun Scott are coming to town to help out, but again, they’re freshmen.

Main target

There’s one clear prospect I’d urge USC to target at the linebacker position: former Colorado State WLB Owen Long.

Colorado State was a bad football team in 2025 and their defense struggled mightily. But Long was the main reason why they were ever competitive in any games.

Long racked up a whopping 151 total tackles, twice as many as any of his teammates. He also had 2 sacks, a forced fumble, 2 fumble recoveries and 5 pass breakups.

Long was clearly in the right place at the right time a lot, and clearly had to deal with cleaning up a lot of his teammates’ defensive mistakes. He seems as reliable a transfer portal target as anyone.

He’s also from Whittier, CA. A Southern California connection would only make it easier to convince him to come home!

Defensive back

Cornerback Prophet Brown’s return in 2026 after missing the entire 2025 season is huge. Alex Graham (assuming he re-signs), Christian Pierce, Marcelles Williams and Kennedy Urlacher are all players I expect to be big contributors in 2026.

So while I’d love to land former Minnesota safety Koi Perich, one of the biggest names in the transfer portal, it may not make sense for the Trojans who need to spend so much money elsewhere on the roster.

Exploring a fit

A player like Utah transfer cornerback Smith Snowden may be a perfect fit for USC. Snowden was a regular contributor for the Utes these past two seasons. He has 92 tackles, 17 pass breakups, a forced fumble, and 4 interceptions including a pick-six in his career (3 seasons).

Snowden just announced he is entering the portal today.

I think a big addition at safety is less likely, but one name I like for USC is JaDon Blair. He’s Notre Dame transfer like Urlacher was, but he is almost the opposite prospect: he has a huge, 6’5” frame (Urlacher is 5’11”). With Pierce also standing at 6’1”, USC could use some size at the safety position.

Tight end

This is more of a want, not a need for the Trojans. Mark Bowman is arguably the most polished prospect in USC’s 2026 class, and JUCO prospect Josiah Jefferson should be a big contributor as well. USC just had such an embarrassment of riches at tight end this season with Lake McRee and Walker Lyons that with both headed out, I want USC to have two tight ends it can count on again. That was so key for this year’s offense.

New Mexico transfer Dorian Thomas could be the player that elevates USC’s tight end room. Thomas had 56 catches for 560 yards and 4 touchdowns for the Lobos this season. He’s set to visit UCLA and Cal this weekend! The Trojans should act fast and schedule a visit with him while he’s in town. Why not?

Punter

USC needs a punter. Sam Johnson is out of eligibility, and the Trojans’ backup punter is currently kicker Ryon Sayeri. Seems pretty self explanatory.

Final thoughts

All in all, while USC has some great talent at quarterback, running back, offensive line and special teams, the Trojans clearly have positions where they need transfers to fortify the roster.

It will be interesting to see how the Trojan coaches approach these positions of need. They should know best which returners and recruits to have faith in and who needs to be pushed by transfer competition. And, they also know which personalities will best fit the culture they are trying to build.

But whatever happens, I have faith that general manager Chad Bowden’s first full transfer portal cycle at USC will be a productive, headline-making one.

This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: USC football’s transfer portal needs for January 2026

Source link