Jordan Addison reveals why he ultimately chose to come to USC

Jordan Addison was one of the transfer portal’s hottest names this offseason. The 2021 Biletnikoff winner ultimately elected to leave Pittsburgh to join Lincoln Riley out at USC in Los Angeles. In the end, Addison thinks it was interest he couldn’t ignore.

Addison spoke on his decision during an appearance on ‘Trojans Live’. He said Riley and the USC program were very clear about choosing him as a target and it gave him a feeling he never doubted from then on.

“I feel like USC just chose me. It was all just a feeling that I had. I just went with it and I never turned back,” said Addison.

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Addison was the No. 2 player in On3’s 2021 Transfer Portal Rankings. That’s because of the standout sophomore season he had in the Pitt Panther offense led by Mark Whipple and Kenny Pickett. Addison totaled 100 catches for nearly 1,600 yards and 17 touchdowns. Those numbers tied Addison for the national lead in touchdowns and gave him the ACC lead in reception yards.

As one of the most prolific offensive weapons in the nation, Addison could be even better as he joins Riley’s offense alongside Caleb Williams. His skillset combined with the firepower from the former Sooner duo could be dangerously potent out west. The connection must continue to grow on the field but, with their opener right around the corner, Addison is ready to produce for the school who made him feel like he was home.

Addison on why he decided to transfer from Pitt

New USC Trojans wide receiver Jordan Addison hit the podium on Thursday for his media debut in Los Angeles. Reporters asked the 2021 Biletnikoff Award winner why he decided to transfer from Pitt to USC, which received an interesting response.

“I’ll say this, my story was already written,” Addison said. “I’m just sticking to the script. It was just a feeling that I had that landed me here.”

Critics scrutinized Addison’s transfer from Pitt to USC after he posted a record-high 100 receptions for the Panthers last season. Reports and rumors swirled in the weeks leading up to his decision about the influence of NIL deals on his recruitment.

Addison called those rumors, “just some BS,” on Thursday as well.

USC head coach Lincoln Riley defended his new star wide receiver against the pay-for-play reports and ultimately called them detrimental to Addison’s image.

“Jordan got in the transfer portal, Jordan came on a visit to USC despite all the negative things that were put out magically by somebody. He’s a kid that’s all about ball. All he wanted to do on his entire official visit was talk ball. We literally missed several of the meals and other things, entertainment, that we had scheduled just so we could watch more film and talk more ball.

“That’s all he’s about,” Riley continued. “And I think he’s been really, really misrepresented throughout this whole thing. Hopefully, as this year goes on, people will get to see the quality of young man that he is.”