3 USC football transfers to keep an eye on in the first days of training camp

USC Football expectations are high this season, mostly because of returning quarterback Jayden Maiava and their No. 1 recruiting class. Still, many are overlooking the few, but mighty transfers that could be huge.

Due to players hitting the transfer portal or declaring for the draft, there were some holes USC needed to fill. In some cases, they leaned on the portal to get a player who is a veteran rather than rely on a freshman to get the job done. Here are three transfers fans will need to become familiar with.

3. Terrell Anderson

Last year, the Trojans had Ja'Kobi Lane and Biletnikoff winner Makai Lemon as their starting receivers. They've both gone to the NFL, which is why USC needed to get an experienced receiver from the portal. Anderson comes from NC State, where he had 39 receptions for 629 yards and 5 TDs in 13 games.

Lincoln Riley got him from the transfer portal because he knew that he needed another experienced receiver next to Tanook Hines. Last season, Hines proved that he can be in the starting receiver group, but he can't do it all himself. That's why the 6-foot-4 and 204-pounder will most likely be a starter, meaning he's definitely a name fans should learn.

His frame and speed make him a threat to any defense on the field. Anderson will be a good example for the new freshman from USC's No. 1 recruiting class. He should hope, though, that they don't learn too fast or the transfer can become a backup.

2. Alex VanSumeren

When watching any USC Football game last season, fans were almost always screaming one thing: "Stop the run!" But Riley and his team couldn't figure it out. Getting Alex VanSumeren from the portal will certainly fix that problem. Under Gary Patterson's new defense, the No. 1 priority this season should be stopping the run.

The defensive tackle is 6-foot-2 and 390 pounds, so he certainly has the strong build that the Trojans were looking for. The former Michigan State player went against USC's impressive offensive line last year and had six total tackles in that game. During the season, he recorded 52 tackles, including two for loss of 10 yards and one pass breakup.

VanSumeren is a strong guy who doesn't give up on any play. The senior will bring veteran leadership that the defensive line has been needing. Per Pro Football Focus, in the 830 snaps he's had in his career, he's only missed 1 tackle. He's the Big Ten guy that USC would have hated to go against again this season. The Michigan native had 22 stops last season, good for 5th in the Big Ten.

1. Jontez Williams

The Trojans got a true stud in Jontez Williams. He was the No. 2 cornerback in the portal, per 247Sports and should be the No. 1 option for the team. The 5-foot-11 and 200-pound junior comes from Iowa State. While he sounds great, there is a caveat. He got injured in September last season and still isn't 100%. He didn't participate in Spring workouts, but USC wouldn't have gotten him if they didn't think he was capable and could play this season.

The Florida native got off to an impressive start before an injury last season. He had 15 total tackles, two pass breakups and one interception. He was able to play the full season in 2024, when he had 46 total tackles, five pass breakups and four interceptions.

If Williams can return from injury without skipping a beat, his addition would automatically transform the Trojans' secondary. He's an experienced player who has great instincts and is an elite tackler, something that fans should love to hear.

Don't let the No. 1 recruiting class in the country overshadow the needed hype that these transfers deserve. If each of them can be as good or better than they were at their previous school, then they elevate each position group they're in.

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