Heading into a transformative window, the USC football team’s roster as presently constructed is in strange shape – just a handful of proven players likely to return, a good-but-not-great recruiting class set to arrive, a group of foundational pieces set to take their next career step.
None more obvious, to be sure, than the massive question mark at quarterback as Caleb Williams appears set for the NFL Draft. But across nearly every position group on the roster, incoming help should be welcomed – and, in some cases, is plainly necessary ahead of an inaugural season in the Big Ten.
With the transfer portal opening Dec. 4 and USC already in the process of emptying the chamber on offers nationwide, here’s a position-by-position breakdown of USC’s program, tracking notable Trojan returners, arrivals and departures before the portal closes Jan. 2.
Returning: SO Miller Moss (redshirt sophomore), FR Malachi Nelson
Committed:
Arriving:
Departing: JR Caleb Williams (draft, unconfirmed)
NOTES: It’s likely USC picks up a quarterback or two in the portal, as coach Lincoln Riley confirmed they’d explore help despite confidence in Moss and Nelson. They’ve already been linked to former Kansas State quarterback Will Howard.
Returning: FR Quinten Joyner, FR A’Marion Peterson
Committed: Bryan Jackson (TX)
Arriving:
Departing: SR Austin Jones (eligibility), JR MarShawn Lloyd (draft), SR Darwin Barlow, JR Matt Colombo
NOTES: Lloyd announced his intent to declare for the draft Dec. 3, leaving USC moving forward without both of its primary backs in 2023 in Lloyd and Austin Jones. Joyner could be ready to assume a role in 2024, but it’s likely USC hits the portal hard here.
Returning: FR Zachariah Branch, JR Mario Williams, JR Michael Jackson III, SO Kyron Hudson, JR Dorian Singer, FR Duce Robinson, FR Makai Lemon, FR Jaden Moore, FR Ja’Kobi Lane
Committed: Xavier Jordan (CA), Ryan Pellum (CA), Desman Stephens (ATH)
Arriving:
Departing: SR Brenden Rice (draft), SO Raleek Brown (transfer, unknown), SR Tahj Washington (eligibility)
NOTES: The Trojans will miss their top two targets from 2023, but the cupboard is still stocked full with a handful of talented youngsters who will step into larger roles in 2024. An experienced vet wouldn’t hurt here, but USC isn’t starving for talent.
Returning: SO Lake McRee, FR Kade Eldridge
Committed: Joey Olsen (OR), Walter Matthews (GA)
Arriving:
Departing: SR Jude Wolfe (transfer, unknown)
NOTES: Tight ends haven’t been a major part of Riley’s offense at USC, but McRee has developed nicely and Olsen’s high school coach Spencer Phillips told the Southern California News Group Riley courted Olsen as a factor in the Trojans’ passing game. Help not sorely needed here.
Returning: FR Micah Banuelos, FR Jack Susnjar, SR Gino Quinones, SO Killian O’Connor, JR Emmanuel Pregnon, SR Michael Tarquin, FR Elijah Paige, FR Tobias Raymond, SO Mason Murphy, FR Alani Noa, JR Andrew Milek, JR Jonah Monheim
Committed: Jason Zandamela (FL), Makai Saina (TX), Justin Tauanuu (CA), Hayden Treter (OT)
Arriving:
Departing: SR Jarrett Kingston (eligibility), SR Justin Dedich (eligibility)
NOTES: Somewhere in here, there just might be a workable offensive line, but there are few certain pieces besides Monheim. Murphy and Tarquin both struggled at times in 2023, Quinones is coming off injury, and a host of freshmen (Noa, Paige) might not be ready. Zandamela could start right away, however, and Riley said they’ll be “less reliant” on the portal for OL help but will look to bring in one to two new faces.
Returning: JR Korey Foreman, SO Anthony Lucas, FR Devan Thompkins, FR Elijah Hughes, SR Solomon Tuliaupupu, SO Bear Alexander, FR Deijon Laffitte
Committed: Deyvid Palepale (PA)
Arriving:
Departing: SR Tyrone Taleni (eligibility), SR Stanley Ta’ufo’ou (eligibility), SR De’jon Benton (eligibility), SR Kyon Barrs (eligibility), SR Jack Sullivan (eligibility)
NOTES: Here’s the most glaring need on USC’s roster. Little 2024 help is on the way, and Bear Alexander is entrenched at a nose-tackle spot, but USC needs a major influx of talent up front to compete in the Big Ten. Riley mentioned development of size up front was a “non-negotiable” in hiring a new defensive coordinator, and it’s likely USC goes portal-hunting for a few pieces on the line under D’Anton Lynn.
Returning: JR Romello Height, SR Jamil Muhammad, FR Braylan Shelby, FR DJ Peevy, FR Sam Greene
Committed: Kameryn Fountain (GA)
Arriving: Depa
Departing: SR Solomon Byrd (eligibility)
NOTES: Muhammad’s return helps, and Shelby will likely have a more prominent role in 2024. Fountain, too, is a terrific prospect, making the need for help here less glaring; a truly dominant pass-rusher, though, would go a long way toward solidifying defensive potential.
Returning: JR Raesjon Davis, JR Eric Gentry, FR Tackett Curtis, FR Garrison Madden, SR Mason Cobb
Committed: Elijah Newby (CT)
Arriving:
Departing: SR Chris Thompson Jr. (transfer, unknown), SR Shane Lee (eligibility)
NOTES: If Gentry and Cobb return, USC has a few rotational pieces set, and Curtis struggled at times in a freshman season where he was thrown in the fire but will be a key piece of the program moving forward.
Returning: SO Domani Jackson, JR Jacobe Covington, SO Prophet Brown, SO Ceyair Wright, FR Tre’Quon Fegans, SO Fabian Ross, FR Maliki Crawford, FR Makai Lemon
Committed: Marcelles Williams (CA), Isaiah Rubin (CA), Braylon Conley (TX),
Arriving:
Departing: SR Christian Roland-Wallace (eligibility)
NOTES: Tons of potential for movement here. Roland-Wallace was USC’s only proven corner in 2023, with Jackson inconsistent and Wright ending the year away from the team. It’s possible Jackson, Wright and others could enter the portal; fortunately, Williams and Rubin are solid prospects, and Brown, Fegans and Lemon all showed flashes last year.
Returning: JR Calen Bullock, FR Zion Branch, SO Anthony Beavers Jr., JR Jaylin Smith, FR Christian Pierce
Committed: Marquis Gallegos (CA), Jarvis Boatwright (FL)
Arriving:
Departing: SR Max Williams (eligibility), SR Bryson Shaw (eligibility), Xamarion Gordon (transfer, unknown)
NOTES: Bullock’s status is key here, as he could very well declare for the NFL Draft. Smith will likely be entrenched as a starter, while Pierce and Branch (if healthy) are in line for bigger roles in 2024. If Bullock leaves, though, transfer help would likely be necessary.
