The NCAA Transfer Portal’s become a pivotal piece of college football, shaking up team rosters and player careers every year. USC, famous for its bold recruiting, is watching a surprising number of its players jump into the portal this season.
So, what’s really going on with these departures? Let’s take a closer look at who’s leaving, why they’re doing it, and what it could mean for the Trojans moving forward.
Understanding the Transfer Portal
The NCAA Transfer Portal lets college athletes switch schools with a lot less hassle than before. The portal opened officially on January 2 for a 15-day window.
Players whose coaches got fired or left have 30 days to enter, and those on playoff teams get five days after their season ends. This kind of flexibility has definitely driven up the number of transfers.
Key USC Departures
USC is in the middle of a real wave of transfers, and some names stand out more than others. Here’s a quick rundown of the most notable players heading out:
- DJ Jordan – Wide Receiver
- Bryan Jackson – Running Back
- Braylon Conley – Cornerback
- Gus Cordova – Defensive End
- Makai Saina – Offensive Lineman
- Steve Miller – Safety
- Matai Tagoa’i – Linebacker
- Carlon Jones – Defensive Lineman
- Anthony Beavers Jr. – Linebacker
- Micah Banuelos – Offensive Lineman
- Garrison Madden – Linebacker
- Harry Dalton – Running Back
- Prince Strachan – Wide Receiver
Player Profiles and Reactions
Every player’s exit comes with its own backstory and set of reasons. Let’s break down a few of the more high-profile moves:
DJ Jordan – Wide Receiver
DJ Jordan arrived as a four-star recruit and big expectations followed him. But he couldn’t quite carve out a role, getting just five catches for 38 yards in five games in 2025.
Some inconsistency and drops in practice held him back, and in the end, he decided to hit the portal for a new shot somewhere else.
Bryan Jackson – Running Back
Bryan Jackson flashed as a power back but ran into injuries and stiff competition. With veteran backs coming in and walk-on King Miller making noise, Jackson’s carries dried up.
He put up 311 yards and five touchdowns in 21 games, but now he’s looking for more opportunities elsewhere.
Braylon Conley – Cornerback
Braylon Conley, a redshirt freshman, saw the field a bit and even started a few games early on. But with the cornerback group packed and some key guys coming back, Conley chose to transfer after tallying 14 tackles and 2.5 TFLs at USC.
Gus Cordova – Defensive End
Gus Cordova, a true freshman, showed some promise but ended up buried on the depth chart. With even more defensive linemen coming in for 2026, Cordova decided to look elsewhere after playing just two games.
Makai Saina – Offensive Lineman
Makai Saina never really got his shot, battling injuries the whole way and not logging any game snaps. With a big group of new offensive linemen joining and not much playing time in sight, Saina entered the portal hoping for a fresh start.
Recruiting Class of 2026
USC’s 2026 recruiting class is already making headlines as one of the best in the country. The Trojans are set to sign some top-tier talent, which should help soften the blow from all these transfers.
- Waymond Jordan – Running Back
- Eli Sanders – Running Back
- Alani Noa – Offensive Lineman
- Tobias Raymond – Offensive Lineman
These new recruits, mixed with the returning players, will have a big say in how USC performs over the next few seasons. Hard to say exactly how it’ll all shake out, but the pieces are definitely there.
Conclusion
The NCAA Transfer Portal really shakes up college football. It gives players fresh opportunities and forces teams to rethink their rosters.
USC’s seen several players leave through the portal lately. Still, they’ve lined up a strong recruiting class and seem ready for whatever comes next.
It feels like USC’s future could be pretty exciting as they adapt and keep building a tough team. Who knows how it’ll all play out?
For more details on USC’s transfer portal departures, check out the USC Football 2025 Transfer Portal Departure Tracker.
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