On Monday, the NCAA transfer portal officially opened. USC football will be affected heavily by this transfer portal cycle, as the Trojans figure to both lose and gain numerous key players.
Given all the players leaving the USC program, Lincoln Riley and his staff have no choice but to load up in the portal. USC has so many holes and a glaring lack of depth throughout the team that it must lean into the portal to fill out its 2025 roster. Multiple offensive linemen have left. Multiple receivers have left. Running back is a need with Quinten Joyner going. The defensive line has to gain depth after being eroded by injuries and Bear Alexander’s midseason exit this past season. USC has a hollowed-out roster and simply won’t be able to rely on incoming freshmen recruits to fully make up the difference. The portal has become hugely urgent, even though Lincoln Riley has said he wants to build the program more from recruiting than the portal. Life has taken some turns for Riley that he must adjust to. It’s crunch time for him and this coaching staff.
Here, we will track all of USC’s transfer portal movement. Keep coming back for updates as events warrant over the next several weeks:
Losses
Miller Moss, quarterback
USC’s least surprising portal entry was quarterback Miller Moss. After waiting his turn for three seasons as a backup, Moss started last year’s Holiday Bowl as well as the first nine games of the 2024 season. During his time at USC, Moss completed 65.9% of his passes for 3,469 yards, 27 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions.
After struggling down the stretch run, Moss was benched in favor of Jayden Maiava for USC’s final three games of the regular season. Given his experience, however, he figures to be one of the top quarterbacks in the portal this cycle.
Amos Talalele, offensive lineman
The first of several Trojans to enter the portal along the offensive line was Amos Talalele.
Talalele appeared in just seven games during his two seasons at USC. He saw decreased playing time down the stretch in 2024, which likely contributed to his decision to transfer.
Gino Quinones, offensive lineman
Another USC offensive lineman to enter the portal was Gino Quinones. He spent six years at USC, but due to various injuries appeared in relatively few games.
His most impactful season as a Trojan came in 2022, when he appeared in all 14 games for USC and made two starts. That season, the Trojans‘ offensive line was named a semifinalist for the Joe Moore Award, given annually to the top OL unit in the country.
Jake Jensen, quarterback
As USC’s third/fourth string quarterback the past three seasons, Jensen took just two snaps in a Trojans uniform. Now, the junior college transfer will look elsewhere for his final season of eligibility.
While Jensen will not be a significant loss for the Trojans, the biggest concern regards the team’s quarterback depth for the bowl game. With both Moss and Jensen hitting the portal, Maiava will be the team’s only scholarship QB available for the game. The Trojans better hope he stays healthy, or else they would be forced to throw a walk-on out there.
Denis Lynch, kicker
After redshirting in 2021, Lynch was USC’s starting kicker in both 2022 and 2023. He lost the job to Georgia Southern transfer Michael Lantz ahead of the 2024 season, however, and did not attempt a kick this year.
With Lynch in the portal and Lantz out of eligibility, USC is officially in the market for a new kicker in 2025.
Kyron Hudson, receiver
One of USC’s most underrated players, Hudson had his best season as a Trojan in 2024. On the season, he caught 38 passes for 462 yards and three touchdowns.
With Hudson looking elsewhere for his final season of eligibility, USC will need to add more talent in the wide receiver room this offseason.
Sam Greene, defensive end
As a redshirt freshman this season, Greene was able to earn a role as a rotational player at defensive end. On the year, he recorded 10 tackles and one sack.
While USC believed Greene had a bright future, he seemingly wanted to go somewhere he could get more regular playing time.
Kade Eldridge, tight end
As a redshirt freshman tight end this season, Eldridge caught three passes for 19 yards and a touchdown.
As long as the Trojans are able to keep Lake McCree and Walker Lyons around (which is never a given in today’s college football world), this should not be a major loss for USC.
Bear Alexander, defensive lineman
Okay, take back what I said about Moss: This was USC’s least surprising portal entry.
After transferring in from Georgia following his freshman season, Alexander had a solid 2023 season with the Trojans. However, he was relegated to a reserve role prior to the start of 2024, reportedly due to concerns over his attitude and work ethic. After the Michigan game in September, Alexander announced his plan to redshirt the season, and he has been away from the team since.
Alexander attended four different high schools in four years, and next season will mark his third different college stop. A team will likely take a chance on him simply due to his raw talent, which is undeniable, but there are clearly some character issues.
Mason Murphy, offensive lineman
One of the last holdovers from the Clay Helton era, Murphy redshirted his first year on campus in 2021. He appeared in every game on the offensive line for the Trojans over the past three seasons, including starting all 12 regular season contests at right guard this year.
With Jonah Monheim and Emmanuel Pregnon off to the NFL, Murphy was set to return as USC’s most experienced offensive lineman next year. Instead, the Trojans will need to add even more depth at the position this offseason.
Quinten Joyner, running back
One of USC’s more surprising portal entries was redshirt freshman running back Quinten Joyner. As the Trojans’ No. 2 back behind Woody Marks this year, Joyner carried the ball 63 times for 478 yards and a touchdown, while also adding 89 yards and a score through the air.
With Marks off to the NFL, Joyner appeared in line to take over as USC’s lead back next season. Instead, he will look to continue his college career at another school.
Duce Robinson, wide receiver
Another surprising portal entry was Duce Robinson. The former five-star wide receiver caught 39 passes for 747 yards and seven touchdowns in his first two seasons as a Trojan. On Tuesday, however, it was reported that he will look to play elsewhere in 2025.
With Hudson and Robinson in the portal, the Trojans will already be thin at wide receiver in the bowl game. If any of Zachariah Branch, Ja’Kobi Lane, and/or Makai Lemon decide to hit the portal as well, USC could legitimately be forced to play walk-ons in Vegas.
This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: USC football 2024-2025 transfer portal tracker
