USC among top four options for massive transfer portal defensive lineman
The USC Trojans are one of four finalists for former Kentucky defensive lineman Keeshawn Silver as the Trojans will have to battle against three NIL giants to reel him in. That’s according to a report from On3’s Pete Nakos on Monday afternoon.
Florida, Miami and Michigan are the other programs at the top for Silver, a 6-foot-4, 336-pound defensive tackle who recorded 26 tackles and one sack for the Wildcats this season.
Silver was a five-star prospect in the 2022 class. He was the nation’s No. 22 overall prospect in the On3 Industry Ranking and the No. 6 defensive lineman. Silver signed with North Carolina and spent two years with the Tar Heels before transferring to Kentucky.
The Gators, Hurricanes and Wolverines have not been shy about throwing NIL money around on the recruiting trail this offseason. The Trojans will need to match that when going after Silver, who ranks as the No. 31 overall player and No. 2 defensive lineman in the 2025 transfer portal.
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Last season, USC landed defensive tackles Gavin Meyer and Nate Clifton out of the portal as defensive tackles. Both were major additions to the USC roster and both played significant snaps for the Trojans. Defensive tackle is once again a need for the Trojans (as it if for virtually every program in the nation) and we’re going to get a sense of hos much USC feels it needs to add Silver to the roster.
USC has not been one of the stronger NIL programs when it comes to simply out-bidding every school for players it wants as Oregon has done so many times. But the Trojans did flex a little muscle with this 2025 recruiting class — specifically adding to the front seven with five-star Jahkeem Stewart. So we’ll see if USC can continue that trend in what will be a high-profile chase for Silver.
