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C.J. Williams Enters the Transfer Portal

Erik-McKinneyby:Erik McKinney•01/05/23•

ErikTMcKinney

USC Trojans wide receiver CJ Williams (8) walks off the field after a college football game between the Rice Owls and the USC Trojans on September 3, 2022, at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via
(Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

USC wide receiver C.J. Williams entered the NCAA transfer portal on Thursday. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound wide receiver caught four passes for 34 yards during his true freshman season with the Trojans in 2022.

The former four-star prospect was a big recruiting win for USC. He originally committed to Notre Dame but the Trojans were able to flip him and keep him away from UCLA, his other finalist.

Williams enrolled early at USC but wasn’t able to make a quick impact as he battled an injury. He saw time in 10 games this season. Williams caught a pass in his college debut against Rice. He had a 14-yard catch at Arizona and then caught two passes for nine yards against Colorado.

There was likely very little chance the entire wide receiver room would return intact for the Trojans in 2023. It’s very crowded and even if Jordan Addison does elect to leave early for the NFL Draft, playing time would be hard to come by.

Mario Williams, Tahj Washington, Brenden Rice, Kyle Ford, Michael Jackson III, Kyron Hudson, John Jackson III and Gary Bryant Jr. can all return next season, as can talented walk-on Austin Overn. USC already landed a commitment from former Arizona standout receiver Dorian Singer out of the transfer portal. And two five-star receivers are set to get going this spring as early enrollees in Zachariah Branch and Makai Lemon.

Williams is the first offensive player from this year’s roster to enter the transfer portal for USC. He’s the eighth USC player overall.

Previously, rush ends Julien Simon and Tayler Katoa, linebackers Ralen Goforth and Tuasivi Nomura, defensive linemen Kobe Pepe and Colin Mobley and safety Xavion Alford entered their names into the portal.

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Garry Paskwietz (1966-2019)

Garry Paskwietz was a pioneer in bringing team-specific sports coverage to the internet. He founded WeAreSC in 1998 and was an Emmy winner for his work with Fox Sports West. Always generous with his time, knowledge, and compassion, he touched the lives of countless USC and high school football fans.

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