USC wastes no time in landing the top cornerback in the transfer portal

The No. 1 ranked cornerback and top ten player in the transfer portal is headed to USC.

Jontez Williams had planned to visit USC, Notre Dame, and Florida, but after his trip to USC, he was so impressed that he committed on the spot skipping his scheduled visits to the Irish and Gators.

This is a huge get for the Trojans, as Williams fills a major gap on the defensive side of the ball for 2026. Over his career, Williams has appeared in 32 games, starting in 19 of them. He’ll have just one year of eligibility, but his veteran presence and experience will be a big boost for a secondary room that’s set to be loaded with young talent in 2026.

This commitment also underscores Lincoln Riley’s repeated point that the Trojans will be selective when it comes to the portal. As it stands, Riley and the staff are one-for-one on portal targets. USC wants to build a roster that will compete for the Big Ten championship and the college football playoffs in 2026. With a top-ranked recruiting class already in the fold, Riley and the staff will be looking to find difference makers in the transfer portal that can pay off immediate dividends.

Despite being limited to just five games in 2025 due to a knee injury, Williams remains highly rated by PFF.com. His 90.6 grade since the start of 2024 ranks first in the Big 12, and he’s recognized as an outstanding tackler, a rare trait for a cornerback. Impressively, he didn’t miss a single tackle in 2025. With his sturdy 5'11", 200-pound frame, he’s built for the physical play of the Big Ten.

The Trojans are still searching for a defensive coordinator, but that doesn’t seem to be slowing them down from landing elite talent. And that’s exactly what Jontez Williams is: elite.