Two USC Trojans, Several Opponents on On3's 2023 Preseason All-Transfer Portal Team

The transfer portal likely saved USC’s 2022 season and will have a dramatic effect on the Trojans’ 2023 campaign as well. On3’s Jesse Simonton took a look at the portal additions across college football and named his 2023 Preseason All-Transfer Portal Team this week. Two new Trojans made the list. As did six players USC will face during its 2023 regular season schedule.

Without the portal, Caleb Williams would not be USC’s eighth Heisman Trophy Winner. Mekhi Blackmon, Jordan Addison, Travis Dye, Eric Gentry and several others wouldn’t have been on the Coliseum turf wearing cardinal and gold. Williams notwithstanding, the 2023 haul of transfer portal additions for USC might have an even greater impact on this season. There are potential impact players at a number of positions and the defensive front is loaded with them.

Here’s who made the team for USC:

WR Dorian Singer

Simonton’s note: “Last season the Trojans plucked the best receiver from the ACC in Jordan Addison and Lincoln Riley made a similar move this offseason, grabbing one of the most productive wideouts from the Pac-12. Singer, an Arizona transfer, was second in the league in 1,105 yards with six touchdowns.”

Singer has a chance to become the No. 1 wide receiver for the Trojans this fall. His ability to locate the football and serve as a deep weapon is arguably the best in the Pac-12. He’ll face plenty of competition for targets this year as the USC receiver room is loaded. It’ll be interesting to see if Singer has the same impact on the offense that Addison did. He’s coming off a 1,000-yard receiving season and expectations are high.

DT Bear Alexander

Simonton’s note: “This is a bet on upside and potential. Alexander flashed his 5-star ability as a backup at Georgia in 2022, and since he wasn’t guaranteed to even start for the Bulldogs this fall, he transferred to USC for more immediate playing time. He has serious interior pass rush skills, as showcased in the national title game against TCU (two sacks).”

The national championship game is the one USC fans will want to watch. Alexander as just a true freshman made a significant impact in that one. He doesn’t have the same established track record that some of USC’s other defensive line additions have. But he does have an outstanding recruiting pedigree. And he did enough to earn playing time at Georgia as a true freshman. Alexander needs to play like an All-Conference player in 2023.

And the players USC will line up against:

(Notes from Simonton)

QB Sam Hartman, Notre Dame

The ACC’s all-time leader with 110 passing touchdowns, Hartman is a Heisman Trophy candidate in 2022 now at Notre Dame. Hartman led Wake Forest to an 11-win season in 2021 and hopes to guide the Irish back to the College Football Playoff this fall. 

RB Carson Steele, UCLA

Steele was awesome for Ball State last season, finishing sixth nationally in rushing with 1,556 yards and 14 touchdowns. The First-Team All-MAC standout should flourish in Chip Kelly’s run-first attack with the Bruins in 2023. 

OT Ajani Cornelius, Oregon

An unranked prospect out of high school, Cornelius has skyrocketed up NFL Draft boards after starting at right tackle the last two seasons at Rhode Island. The 6-4, 315-pound was among the most coveted transfers at a premium position this offseason. 

DE Jordan Burch, Oregon

The former 5-star recruit hasn’t quite ever lived up to his recruiting rankings, but the South Carolina transfer did have his best season to date in 2022, leading the Gamecocks with 4.0 sacks and 14 quarterback hurries. The 6-6, 280-pound lineman can play with his hand in the dirt or standing up as a hybrid edge lineman for Dan Lanning this fall.

S Patrick McMorris, Cal

The two-time First-Team All-Mountain West safety opted to enter the transfer portal and stay in-state to finish his career playing for Justin Wilcox at Cal. McMorris was very productive for the Aztecs and he earned Co-Conference Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2022.

ATH Travis Hunter, Colorado

On3’s No. 1 overall transfer prospect, Hunter figures to make an impact at Colorado at receiver, corner and returner in 2023. The former 5-star recruit was a two-way star at Jackson State as a freshman, picking off two passes while catching four touchdowns.