Skip to main content
usc logo

USC offensive lineman Gino Quinones enters NCAA transfer portal

Erik-McKinneyby:Erik McKinney•12/03/24•

ErikTMcKinney

Gino Quinones
USC offensive lineman Gino Quinones looks around the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum before a game against the Nevada Wolf Pack (acscottphotography/WeAreSC)

Veteran offensive lineman Gino Quinones became the latest USC Trojan to enter the NCAA transfer portal as he went in Tuesday morning.

The 6-foot-3, 302-pound lineman signed with the Trojans in the 2019 recruiting class and served as mostly a reserve along the line and played on special teams. He started the 2023 season-opener at guard before suffering an injury in the second game that would sideline him for the season.

Quinones returned to health enough to play 21 snaps against Utah State early this year but was sidelined again for the remainder of the season following that. His most impactful season at USC came in 2022 when he started twice, including the Cotton Bowl against Tulane, when he played a career-high 87 snaps.

Quinones joins Amos Talalele as a loss for the USC offensive line as versatile linemen that the Trojans couldn’t really afford to see depart simply based on the roster makeup right now. USC will lose center Jonah Monheim to the draft and left guard Emmanuel Pregnon will likely head that way as well after playing in the East-West Shrine Bowl. Both Quinones and Talalele appeared to be options at both center and left guard next season. Now, both will be suiting up elsewhere.

That leaves the Trojans with just backup center Kilian O’Connor and second-year player Micah Banuelos as players were any kind of experience at all who seem like fits at those two spots next year.

Quinones has already entered the portal while Talalele said he plans to when it opens. Those two join quarterback Miller Moss as early departures this offseason. Moss has already entered the portal as he and Quinones are graduate transfers.

You may also like

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.

Garry Paskwietz