Biletnikoff Winner Jordan Addison is Headed to USC

Out goes one of the great receivers in USC history and in comes arguably the greatest receiver in the country last season. If the massive hole created by the departure of Drake London–the No. 8 overall selection in the 2022 NFL Draft–wasn’t filled by the arrival of three transfer portal additions and improvement from returning players, it officially has been now. Former Pittsburgh receiver and reigning Biletnikoff Award winner Jordan Addison is headed to USC via the transfer portal.

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— Jordan Addison (@Espn_Jordan) May 19, 2022

No transfer portal addition will approach the significance of quarterback Caleb Williams moving from Oklahoma to USC this offseason. But this move from Addison ranks up there.

The 6-foot, 175-pound receiver had a good freshman season in 2020. He took it to another level in 2021. Addison caught 100 passes for 1,593 yards and 17 touchdowns as a sophomore last fall. He tied for the national lead in touchdown receptions and finished fourth in receiving yards. And in a year where six wide receivers became eventual first-round NFL draft picks, it was Addison who took home the Biletnikoff Award. He also earned consensus All-America recognition.

Addison caught at least five passes in every game last season. He averaged 15.9 yards per catch, 3.6 more than London averaged for the Trojans. Addison had eight games with more than 100 receiving yards and three games with three or more touchdown grabs. His best performance saw him haul in 14 receptions for 202 yards and four touchdowns against Virginia.

In addition to his work as a wide receiver, Addison also took over as Pitt’s punt returner over the second half of the season. He averaged 15.4 yards per return, taking back 12 punts for 185 yards.

Addison’s Path to USC

USC was Addison’s rumored destination from the moment he entered the transfer portal. And there were reports that Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi confronted USC head coach Lincoln Riley about tampering concerns. Addison did not rush into a commitment, however. He took an official visit to Texas and followed that with an official visit to USC from May 15-17. Alabama also got involved in Addison’s recruitment out of the transfer portal, but he never visited the Crimson Tide.

But USC was seen as the likely destination throughout and the Trojan coaches did well to reel him in against strong pushes from two recruiting powers.

USC’s Wide Receiver Room With Addison

Addison can work effectively all over the field. He was used plenty out of the slot, in motion and as a single receiver out wide. He scored touchdowns on quick screens and slants as well as deep balls down the middle of the field. Addison is a nightmare cover for safeties and linebackers out of the slot with his ability to burst off the line and quickly eat up space. He’s also plenty dynamic with the ball in his hands after the catch.

This was a loaded wide receiver room at USC based on the moves the Trojans already made this offseason. Mario Williams came in from Oklahoma. Brenden Rice transferred in from Colorado. And Terrell Bynum arrived at USC from Washington.

Williams already flashed his connection with quarterback Caleb Williams during USC’s spring game. The second-year receiver caught two short touchdown passes and had four total receptions. Addison hails from Maryland and also has a previous connection with the USC quarterback.

A few returning receivers also had solid spring game showings.

Kyron Ware-Hudson caught four passes. Kyle Ford got on the receiving end of a 48-yard touchdown strike. John Jackson III and Tahj Washington each had two receptions. And none of that includes Gary Bryant Jr., a likely leader at the position who missed the game due to an injury.

USC lost 88 receptions, 1,062 yards and seven touchdowns from last year’s production with London leaving for the NFL. But this room is much stronger overall after these offseason moves. Addison can be a true No. 1 receiver, and he’ll still be pushed for snaps by talented players who have a little more time in this scheme than he will. There was plenty of potential in this room. Addison gives this group a proven star who will make life easier on everybody, even if he doesn’t match his outstanding numbers from last season.