USC transfer EDGE Lorenzo Cowan signs with Kentucky

USC transfer EDGE Lorenzo Cowan signed with Kentucky, On3’s Pete Nakos has learned. He officially entered the transfer portal earlier this week.

Cowan did not see any game action as a freshman at USC in 2024 and was expected to compete for playing time in 2025. Because he preserved a redshirt, he will have four years of eligibility remaining.

Cowan played high school football at Savannah (Ga.) Jenkins, where he was a three-star prospect. He was the No. 825 overall player from the 2024 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. Cowan initially committed to Kentucky before flipping to USC.

USC EDGE transfer Lorenzo Cowan has signed with Kentucky, @On3sports has learned. https://t.co/wMrfFrcNOy pic.twitter.com/SFUYajx4t8

— Pete Nakos (@PeteNakos_) April 17, 2025

To keep up with the latest players on the move, check out On3’s Transfer Portal wire. 

The On3 Transfer Portal Instagram account and Twitter account are excellent resources to stay up to date with the latest moves.

Lincoln Riley previously spoke highly of Lorenzo Cowan’s performance during spring practice. He noted the development he saw out of the rising sophomore, which stood out as the Trojans went through workouts.

“Zo Cowan has had a really nice spring camp up to this point,” Riley said. “One of the guys, along with Tobias [Raymond], that we actually pointed out to the team in the team meeting yesterday as two guys that you kind of feel have really taken a jump right now. Real proud of their development.”

Kentucky has been active in the transfer portal so far this cycle. Cowan will be the 21st addition to the Wildcats’ transfer class, which ranks No. 11 in the On3 Team Transfer Portal Index. The headliner of the group is former Washington State defensive lineman David Gusta – the No. 60 overall player to enter the portal so far this cycle, according to the On3 Industry Transfer Rankings.

Former Incarnate Word quarterback Zach Calzada is also on his way to Lexington. He started his career at Texas A&M and Auburn before making his way to Incarnate Word, where he had a breakout year in 2024. He threw for 3,744 yards and 35 touchdowns, with only nine interceptions, while also rushing for 332 yards and five scores.

In 2019, Calzada took a redshirt before the 2020 season that didn’t count toward any player’s eligibility. In 2022, he transferred to Auburn, but didn’t see any action with the Tigers and later had shoulder surgery. After that, he transferred to Incarnate Word, where he spent two seasons. That means that 2025 will be his seventh season of college football.