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USC cornerback DeCarlos Nicholson withdraws from transfer portal

Erik-McKinneyby:Erik McKinney•01/20/25•

ErikTMcKinney

USC Trojans cornerback DeCarlos Nicholson (17) warms up before the game against the Maryland Terrapins at SECU Stadium
USC Trojans cornerback DeCarlos Nicholson (17) warms up before the game against the Maryland Terrapins at SECU Stadium. (Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images)

That was a short stay in the NCAA transfer portal for USC cornerback DeCarlos Nicholson. One day after entering the portal, Nicholson withdrew his name and is back with the Trojans.

There are still some questions to answer when it comes to Nicholson’s eligibility for the 2025 season. As a former junior prospect, the thought is that he should be able to use another year of eligibility this coming fall due to the fallout stemming from a ruling giving Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia another year.

The NCAA Division I Board of Directors back in December approved a blanket waiver granting an additional year of eligibility to former junior college transfers in similar positions to Pavia. But the NCAA had filed a notice of appeal to the ruling in Pavia’s case.

If Nicholson does indeed get another year of eligibility, it appears now that he’ll use it at USC, which also appeared to be the plan just days ago before Nicholson entered the portal.

Nicholson played in all 13 games for the Trojans in 2024. He recorded starts against Maryland, Rutgers and Washington and finished the season with 27 tackles and five passes defended. It was thought that would be his only season at USC after joining the Trojans via the transfer portal out of Mississippi State.

Having Nicholson this fall would give the Trojans another veteran cornerbacks after USC landed DJ Harvey from San Jose State via the transfer portal and brings back Prophet Brown. The Trojans also have a couple of very intriguing second-year players in Marcelles Williams and Braylon Conley who should factor into the defensive backfield this season. Incoming true freshmen Alex Graham, Trestin Castro and James Johnson are part of an outstanding group of true freshmen defensive backs joining the Trojans this year.

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