USC announces transfer commitment of flashy Pac 12 running back

Former Oregon running back Travis Dye has his transfer destination. He’s staying on the West Coast.

Dye is heading to USC to join forces with Lincoln Riley, the Trojans announced Friday. It’s yet another big-time portal addition for Riley and his staff as they gear up for their first season with the Trojans.

Welcome to the show 💯 @Babydye23#FightOn✌️ pic.twitter.com/4l0wsOVXCP

— USC Football (@USC_FB) January 21, 2022

Dye ranked second in the Pac-12 in rushing yards this year, totaling 1,271 yards on the ground and 16 touchdowns for Oregon. He was a huge part of the running attack for Mario Cristobal’s group and a big reason the Ducks finished 10-4 this year.

Now, he’s joining up with Riley, who’s been working the transfer portal hard this offseason. This week alone, USC picked up four transfers, including two from Colorado and one from Stanford. Dye is the fifth addition to the Trojans roster in the last few days.

A big transfer portal week continues for Lincoln Riley, USC

While the Trojans wait on quarterback Caleb Williams to make a decision, they’ve addressed other needs via the transfer portal. Former Stanford running back Austin Jones announced his commitment to USC on Thursday.

Jones was a bright spot for the Cardinal over the last two seasons. He posted 1,351 yards and 12 touchdowns. In addition to his rushing yardage, the running back added 67 receptions for 531 yards and one touchdown in the receiving game.

USC also picked up a transfer from Oklahoma — and no, it’s not Caleb Williams. Latrell McCutchin, who played cornerback for Oklahoma this past season, took to Twitter to announce his commitment to Riley and USC on Wednesday. He’s the second cornerback transfer the Trojans picked up Wednesday after former Colorado cornerback Mekhi Blackmon committed.

In nine games this year for the Sooners, McCutchin had nine solo tackles and two forced fumbles as a freshman. For Colorado, Blackmon finished the year with 41 total tackles, 28 solo, a forced fumble, and an interception. 

Blackmon wasn’t the only Colorado player to transfer to USC this week. Brenden Rice, son of NFL legend Jerry Rice, committed to the Trojans, as well. In two years with the Buffaloes, Rice had 27 catches for 419 yards and five touchdowns. This past year, he hauled in 21 receptions for 299 yards and three touchdowns for Colorado.