The Top Transfer Portal Addition for Each of USC's 2023 Opponents

USC will trade out-of-conference opponents Rice and Fresno State for San Jose State and Nevada in 2022. And the Trojans will get Oregon and Washington instead of Oregon State and Washington State. But those won’t be the only new entities facing USC in 2023. The transfer portal has made it so rosters can change quickly and experienced talent can be added each offseason.

The additions likely aren’t finished yet as there are still available players in the transfer portal and a second window opening for new entries on May 1 means another round of transfers. But at this point, here’s a look at the biggest addition via the transfer portal this offseason for each of USC’s 12 regular-season opponents on its 2023 schedule.

San Jose State

Running backs Isaiah Ifanse and Quali Conley

Ifanse comes in from Montana State and Conely from Utah Tech. The running backs are back-to-back in the On3 transfer portal positional rankings at Nos. 22 and No. 23.

Ifanse is a 5-foot-10, 202-pound experienced back. He holds the Montana State record with 3,742 career rushing yards and is sixth in school history with 25 rushing touchdowns. He recorded 1,123 yards in just his 11 career playoff games for the Bobcats.

Conley, 6-foot and 210 pounds, rushed for 1,092 yards and eight touchdowns in 2022.

Nevada

The Oregon Trio

Three former Oregon Ducks are making their way to Nevada. Edge rusher Adrian Jackson, running back Sean Dollars and linebacker Jackson LaDuke will join Ken Wilson in his second season as head coach of the Wolf Pack. Wilson coached linebackers and was the co-defensive coordinator for the Ducks for three years before that.

Jackson dealt with injuries at Oregon and entered the transfer portal before the 2022 season began. The former four-star prospect finished his Oregon career with 33 tackles and one sack. Dollars rushed for 188 yards and a touchdown, and caught 16 passes for 143 more yards this season. He was a four-star prospect in the 2019 class. LaDuke had 20 career tackles in three seasons at Oregon.

Stanford

Linebacker Gaethan Bernadel

It’s not impossible for Stanford to bring in players via the transfer portal. But it’s likely harder for the Cardinal than any other program. The 6-foot-1, 210-pound Bernadel is Stanford’s only transfer portal addition this offseason, but he’s a big one. He recorded 103 tackles for FIU in 2022 and heads to Stanford with 147 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks in two seasons.

Arizona State

Linebacker Clayton Smith

Arizona State has 25 players coming in via the transfer portal so far this offseason. New head coach Kenny Dillingham has done well to address a number of needs for the roster. But at the top of the rankings for the Sun Devils is former Oklahoma linebacker Clayton Smith. The 6-foot-4, 220-pound linebacker was the nation’s No. 26 overall prospect in the 2021 class and is the No. 90 overall player in the transfer portal this offseason.

He didn’t put up big stats for the Sooners in two years, finishing with eight tackles and one fumble recovery.

Colorado

Athlete Travis Hunter

Hunter was the No. 1 player available in the transfer portal this offseason and followed head coach Deion Sanders from Jackson State to Colorado. The 6-foot-1, 165-pound superstar can do it all as a wide receiver and cornerback. He is a playmaker in every sense of the world and will inject some much-needed life into the Colorado program.

Hunter finished his true freshman season at Jackson State with 18 receptions for 190 yards and four touchdowns on offense. As a cornerback, Hunter had 15 tackles, nine pass breakups, two interceptions and a defensive touchdown in just eight games played.

Arizona

Linebacker Justin Flowe

The former five-star linebacker dealt with injuries during his time at Oregon and will look for a fresh start in Tucson. He had just 15 tackles in his first two seasons as a Duck but finished the 2022 season with 35 total tackles, including 2.5 for loss. He’s the No. 10 linebacker and No. 126 overall player in the transfer portal rankings this offseason.

Notre Dame

Quarterback Sam Hartman

Notre Dame went out and got the No. 1 transfer portal quarterback in former Wake Forest signal caller Sam Hartman. The 6-foot-1, 208-pound Hartman threw for nearly 13,000 yards and 110 touchdowns in five years with the Deamon Deacons. He threw for 77 touchdowns against 26 interceptions the past two years combined. He’s a threat on the ground as well. He’s rushed for 856 yards and 17 touchdowns in his career.

Hartman is the No. 5 overall transfer portal prospect available this offseason and gives the Fighting Irish a clear answer at quarterback heading into the 2023 season.

Utah

Linebacker Levani Damuni

Stanford loses another transfer within the Pac-12 conference as linebacker Levani Damuni heads to Utah. The 6-foot-2, 250-pound linebacker was one of the Cardinal’s best defenders in 2022. He finished the season with 76 tackles, two forced fumbles, an interception, a sack and a pass deflection. Damuni recorded 204 total tackles, three sacks and two interceptions in his four years at Stanford.

He gives the Utes another strong options and likely starter at linebacker. He’s the No. 12 linebacker and No. 134 overall player available in the portal.

Cal

Quarterback Sam Jackson

Cal suffered some major losses to the transfer portal but is bringing in some really solid talent as well. The Golden Bears have struggled at the quarterback position of late but Jackson could be an answer there. He obviously didn’t get much time behind Heisman Trophy finalist Max Duggan this season, but he finished his two-year TCU career having completed five-of-six passes for 140 yards to go along with 15 rushing attempts for 79 yards and two touchdowns.

He was a four-star prospect in the 2021 class and the No. 73 overall recruit and No. 9 quarterback in the 2021 On3 Rankings.

Washington

Running back Dillon Johnson

The former Mississippi State running back is the No. 9 running back and No. 123 overall prospect in the transfer portal. But he’s one to still keep an eye on as he’s anything but locked up to Washington. And USC might have provided a reason for him to look elsewhere. The 6-foot, 192-pound Johnson committed to Washington earlier this month but is still taking visits and exploring options. He visited South Carolina recently and the Gamecocks have opportunity at running back available now that former starter MarShawn Lloyd is a USC Trojan.

If this falls through and Johnson heads elsewhere, then Washington’s top transfer portal get would be edge defender Zach Durfee, who is coming in from Sioux Falls.

Oregon

Offensive tackle Ajani Cornelius

The Ducks again did a phenomenal job in the transfer portal this offseason, hitting on major needs and big-time talent. The top get is offensive tackle Ajeni Cornelius, who left Rhode Island and became as coveted a target as anybody in the portal. The 6-foot-4, 315-pound tackle is the No. 1 offensive lineman and No. 3 overall prospect in the portal this offseason.

UCLA

Wide receiver J. Michael Sturdivant

The Bruins are the top-performing program in the transfer portal this offseason in terms of talent in vs. talent out. And the the top of the list for the Bruins is former Cal wide receiver J. Michael Sturdivant. The 6-foot-3, 200-pound receiver caught 65 passes for 755 yards and seven touchdowns as a redshirt freshman for Cal in 2022. He tied his season high with eight receptions against USC last season. But the Trojans were able to limit him to a season-low 6.8 yards per catch.