It’s been a whirlwind week for the USC Trojans. After it was rumored that star defensive lineman Bear Alexander would hit the transfer portal, he changed course and announced that he would be staying put with the Trojans.
Since then, 2024 top OL recruit, Jason Zandamela, and 2023 CB transfer, Tre’Quon Fegans are both set to enter the transfer portal once it opens, per source.
Now another name has surfaced. Recently transferred in NT, Isaiah Raikes, will also enter his name into the transfer portal when it opens next week.
Raikes is one of the biggest bodies on the team and was set to anchor the middle of the defensive line, alongside Bear Alexander.
Related: “This Is USC, You’re Not Going To Beg People To Be Here”
It is worth noting that USC Defensive Line Coach, Eric Henderson, was officially hired after Raikes committed to USC. So there could have been differing ideologies and schematic fits, however, Coach Henny’s defensive lines have typically operated with a big-bodied nose tackle lining up next to Aaron Donald.
Isaiah Raikes Latest USC Trojans Player To Transfer
This is the new normal of college football, and the USC Trojans will certainly have their pick at a number of players to add to their roster next week when the portal opens. But it does beg the question, is the USC NIL program on solid ground, or still a work in progress?
It is safe to say that NIL is a huge factor in players transferring in and transferring out, so this is something to monitor and something that we will continue to gauge and report on here at the LAFB Network.
Currently, the interior defensive line depth is:
Bear Alexander
Elijah Hughes
Kaylon Miller
Deijon Laffitte
Kobe Pepe
Jide Abasiri
Nate Clifton
Look for defensive line, offensive line, and potentially wide receiver as positions of emphasis when the portal opens.