What players did USC football lose to the 2024 transfer portal?

The transfer portal has shifted the college football landscape. Some players used to change programs after failing to move up their team's depth chart and sitting out a season following a transfer was required. Today, a mass of players change programs to secure lucrative name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals. Transfer players are also eligible to play for their new school right away.

Ultimately, the transfer portal has shifted from a 'maybe' to a 'probably' for most college football schools. The USC Trojans are no exception to the expectation.

USC lost 30 players to the most recent transfer portal. Lincoln Riley also brought 17 transfer portal players to Los Angeles. But today, we're focused on who the Trojans lost to other schools.

Offensive players who left USC via the transfer portal

• QB Malachi Nelson, Freshman: Transferred to Boise State
• QB Isaac Ward, Junior, Undecided
• RB Darwin Barlow, Senior: Transferred to North Carolina
• RB Matthew Colombo, Junior: Transferred to San Diego
• WR Mario Williams, Junior: Transferred to Tulane
• WR Dorian Singer, Junior: Transferred to Utah
• WR Michael Jackson III, Junior: Transferred to Georgia
• WR Raleek Brown, Sophomore: Transferred to Arizona State
• WR Jaden Moore, Freshman, Undecided
• TE Jude Wolfe, Senior: Transferred to San Diego State
• OL Andres Dewerk, Junior: Transferred to Appalachian State
• OL Michael Tarquin, Senior: Transferred to Oklahoma
• OL Andrew Milek, Junior: Undecided
• OL Jason Zandamela, Freshman: Transferred to Florida
• OL Cooper Lovelace, Senior: Transferred to Northwestern

Nelson is the most notable offensive player who departed USC via the transfer portal. The former top quarterback recruit nationally followed Riley to Los Angeles and was expected to succeed Caleb Williams. However, Nelson spent much of the 2023 offseason recovering from a torn labrum and could not catch up. Miller Moss remained Williams' backup and will start for USC in 2024.

It's also tough to see Mario Williams depart the Trojans. The receiver is as dynamic of an athlete as they come, but his usage declined in 2023. Many analysts question the junior's ability to be more than a specialist and gadget player. He will have another season at Tulane to prove the critics wrong.

Next, we have the long list of defensive players who transferred out of USC this offseason.