USC OC Josh Henson reportedly top target for same position at Purdue

Purdue is working to hire USC offensive coordinator/offensive line coach Josh Henson as its next offensive coordinator, according to a report from Matt Fortuna. The college football reporter shared the news Tuesday afternoon on Twitter.

“Source: Purdue has zeroed in on USC OC/O-line coach Josh Henson as its next offensive coordinator,” Fortuna posted on Twitter. “Henson previously worked with Barry Odom at Missouri.”

Barry Odom was recently hired as the head coach of the Boilermakers. It appears as though he is close to bringing in an offensive coordinator he is familiar with.

Josh Henson is in his second season as the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach at USC. He helped the Trojans to a 6-6 record this year.

Josh Henson has previous experience coaching at Texas A&M, Oklahoma State, Missouri and LSU.

USC WR Zachariah Branch plans to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal

The news about USC offensive coordinator Josh Henson potentially leaving for the Purdue job came after it was revealed that Trojans receiver Zachariah Branch plans to enter the transfer portal.

Branch just finished his second collegiate season with the Trojans. Through his underclassmen campaigns in Los Angeles, he posted 78 receptions for 823 yards and three touchdowns. He also had 11 carries for 87 yards and another score. Then, as a returner on special teams, he returned 29 kickoffs for 547 yards and a score as well as 29 punts for 406 yards and another score.

Branch’s total touchdown numbers and returning statistics each went down from his freshman year to his sophomore one. His catches and yardage as a receiver improved, though, by tying for the team-high in total receptions and being second on the offense in yardage behind only Makai Lemon.

Branch, a native of Las Vegas, played high school football at Bishop Gorman. He was a Five-Star+ prospect there as the No. 4 overall recruit in the 2023 cycle. That’s according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He also rated as the No. 1 wide receiver in his class and the No. 1 player out of Nevada.