“View from the Stands” is a column by Jimmy Goodman about USC sports.
You live by the Portal, you die by the Portal. In what some see as the dark days of USC football, this seems as important a time as ever for the Trojans to take advantage of college football’s relatively new marketplace of veteran talent.
As we enter the final week before National Signing Day, USC has a publicly questionable status as a football brand. Clocking in with a recruiting class that is poised to finish in the mid-50s even with an expected commitment or two in the offensive backfield, the Trojans have struggled mightily to remain remotely competitive in the area of talent acquisition, let alone dominate it.
Due in great part to turnover at defensive coordinator, changes in the athletic department and, most notably, distrust in head coach Clay Helton and the program’s general direction, USC is no longer seen by many as the blue-chip brand it has been in the past. Former Heisman running back and spiritual face of the program Reggie Bush put it best in December when he asked “What is Oregon State selling that USC can’t?” after the Trojans came out of early signing day last in the Pac-12 in many popular recruiting metrics.
While many of these statistics are decently overblown due to an apparent scholarship shortage on the Trojans’ part, such a finish to a recruiting class is unacceptable by any standards. The situation becomes more astonishing when considering the number of blue-chip recruits within a 50-mile radius of campus. As much as the Trojans will benefit from a class filled with physically dominant recruits along the offensive and defensive lines, the hit taken on the team’s local and national reputation will be difficult to repair.
All of this is to say, essentially, that USC will need to look for alternative sources of talent. Thankfully, we live in a day and age of ever-growing freedom and agency for college athletes and, for once, USC may benefit from the transfer portal rather than suffer at its hand.
Over the past few seasons, USC has seen major pieces such as senior wide receiver Josh Imatorbhebhe, senior edge defender Oluwole Betiku Jr. and redshirt senior cornerback Jack Jones depart the program for greener pastures. With the exception of redshirt freshman wideout Bru McCoy, whose well-noted travels in the transfer portal eventually landed him back in Southern California, player movement has generally worked against the Trojans.
This said, there are a number of holes and areas of weakness on the roster where the Trojans could use veteran talents to improve. The sole standout among Trojan transfer portal additions thus far, right tackle Drew Richmond, came to Los Angeles after a tumultuous career at Tennessee and became an instant impact force on the Trojan frontline in 2019. Due to his departure, as well as junior left tackle Austin Jackson’s early exit for the NFL Draft, USC enters 2020 with plenty of uncertainty in front of sophomore quarterback Kedon Slovis.
While the Trojans seem confident in kicking junior right guard Jalen McKenzie out to right tackle — a spot where he started twice in 2018 and took over after Richmond’s injury in a tough Holiday Bowl performance — questions remain around the left tackle and right guard spots. Projections suggest that the Trojans will opt for a pair of linemen in redshirt seniors Frank Martin III and Liam Jimmons who, despite being veterans in the program, have yet to serve as full-time starters. This inexperience does little to inspire confidence that USC’s star quarterback will be properly protected.
After suffering a litany of injuries from concussions to elbow strains in 2019, protecting potential Heisman candidate Slovis will likely be the first order of business for the Trojan coaching staff entering spring practices. Considering USC conceded six sacks, one of which resulted in Slovis’ elbow injury, in a dismal final showing in the Holiday Bowl, this goal is fresh in the mind of the staff and fans alike.
While high school recruiting has soured, the appeal that USC brings to those in the transfer portal is far different. Common belief dictates that high school recruits are attracted to schools based on factors including recent success, local appeal and coaching talent, but when considering the motivations of transfer athletes, the story can become much less black and white.
“[USC Football] helped clear my mind and gave me a different perspective. I found happiness in the game again,” Richmond said as he reflected on his time at USC.
For many, with Richmond possibly serving as the poster child for this concept, the appeal of the transfer can range from a needed change of scenery to a personal connection with a coaching staff regardless of job security, prestige or otherwise. For Richmond, it is clear that the decision to travel to Southern California was life-changing, and who is to say other veterans around the country can’t share the same experience?
Considering Richmond entered the portal just over a year ago to the day, the Trojans may have to take a wait-and-see approach to the portal, but one can hope it promises more riches than wreckage this spring.
“View from the Stands” runs every other Thursday.