USC gets help from transfer portal in energetic Vanderbilt QB Mo Hasan

Vanderbilt quarterback Mo Hasan announced his commitment to finish his college career at USC as a graduate transfer.

USC struck out on quarterbacks in the 2020 recruiting cycle, leaving them in a concerning position on the depth front for the coming season.

That situation improved on Friday with the commitment of Vanderbilt grad transfer Mo Hasan, who will walk-on with the Trojans, according to Ryan Kartje of the Los Angeles Times.

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In a long message on Twitter, Hasan thanked the Vanderbilt community, his teammates and coaches and administrators before declaring, “I will play my final year of college football at the University of Southern California. #FightOn”

Hasan came to Vanderbilt as a junior college transfer in 2018. The 6-foot-3, 190-pound passer was unranked as a prospect.

After getting into six games in 2018 for clean up duty, Hasan wasn’t able to get any closer to a starting role for the Commodores in 2019. He was listed as a third-stringer until the play of the two quarterbacks above him reached a low point. He was named the starter ahead of a date with Missouri, a 21-point favorite over Vanderbilt.

Alyssa Muir of Vanderbilt Hustler explained “The Mo Hasan Effect” in an article from last October via a quote from Vanderbilt head coach Derek Mason.

“ brought a different type of energy. You just saw him competing, dropping dimes, and just getting after dudes and talking a little trash. That’s what creates chemistry. It creates energy during practice.”

Hasan carried that energy into the game, delivering a 21-14 upset win with 7-of-11 passing for 120 yards and one touchdown along with nine carries for 34 yards. His passer rating was 185.28.

It was a managed performance, but one that demonstrated his impact as a potential spark. Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to finish the game after a targeting hit sent him to the sideline with a concussion late in the third quarter. He didn’t start another game.

At USC, Hasan is likely to find himself buried behind Kedon Slovis and JT Daniels, more likely to contend with Matt Fink for the third-string role. Of course, offensive coordinator Graham Harrell can point to Slovis’ unlikely rise showing the potential for playing time for anyone on the depth chart.