NC State transfer safety Bishop Fitzgerald commits to USC

Former NC State safety Bishop Fitzgerald has committed to USC, via the NCAA Transfer Portal, per On3’s Hayes Fawcett. He spent two seasons with the Wolfpack after beginning his career at the junior college level.

In his two seasons at USC, Fitzgerald amassed 97 tackles, 11 pass breakups, two forced fumbles and five interceptions. For his efforts in the 2024 campaign, Fitzgerald was named an All-ACC Honorable Mention selection.

Before coming to NC State, Fitzgerald tallied 50 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and 0.5 sacks in 11 games in the 2022 season at Coffeyville Community College. He also recorded six interceptions, two fumble recoveries, eight passes defended and a forced fumble.

He was considered the No. 1 safety coming out of the JUCO ranks in 2023, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

Additionally, Fitzgerald was ranked the No. 27 safety to enter the transfer portal this offseason. He is the 11th player USC has added via the transfer portal this offseason. He is joined by fellow defensive standouts such as defensive lineman Keeshawn Silver and cornerback DJ Harvey.

Although USC finished the 2024 campaign with just a 7-6 record, the Trojans’ defense showed significant improvement in its first season under defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn.

USC allowed 337.5 yards per game this season. For comparison, the Trojans gave up 432.8 yards per game in the 2023 campaign, the 15th-most in the country. With players like Bishop Fitzgerald by his side, Lynn may be able to improve the Trojans’ defense even further in 2025.

ESPN analyst Paul Finebaum certainly believes something has to change for head coach Lincoln Riley and USC.

“It’s a make or break year for Lincoln Riley, and I think to his credit, winning the bowl game was really important,” Finebaum said. “The expectations for him are through the roof, and you can’t get away with a couple of bad years at ‘SC, even if you end on a high note.”

The transfer portal officially opened on Dec. 7 and closed on Dec. 28, though players on teams still playing in the postseason will get an additional five-day window to enter the portal after their seasons end.

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.