USC’s Three Biggest Exit Gatecrashers
Since the transfer portal flung open, USC has watched 15 players bolt for greener pastures. Three departures stand out: freshman offensive tackle Alex Payne, once a coveted top-20 recruit, flips out after one appearance; veteran defensive lineman Devan Thompkins, a force with 31 tackles and three sacks, ranks in the portal’s top two at his position; and promising linebacker Matai Tagoa‘i, a special-teamer with big-play upside, was among the first to announce his exit. Their exodus exposes depth concerns along the line and underscores the Trojan roster’s volatility under Lincoln Riley’s watch.
It seems USC’s depth chart is going the way of Hollywood agents—always looking for a better gig. With Payne, Thompkins, and Tagoa‘i hopping onto the portal express, the Coliseum may need “vacancy” signs. Riley must now audition yet another crop of underclassmen who signed up for a Trojan roller coaster—just don’t forget your barf bags. At this rate, the only Trojan squad more unstable is the local chain-restaurant soufflé.
Ex-Trojans Sam & Caleb Stage NFC Coup
USC’s quarterback cradle is bearing fruit in the NFL playoffs: Sam Darnold and Caleb Williams hold the NFC’s No. 1 and No. 2 seeds. Darnold, the No. 3 pick of 2018, resurrected his career with the Seahawks after stints in New York, Carolina, San Francisco, and Minnesota, piling up 4,048 yards and 25 touchdowns. Williams, the 2024 No. 1 pick, endured a rocky rookie campaign in Chicago before a coaching cleanse rejuvenated him; he’s now at 3,730 yards and closing in on a Bears’ first 4,000-yard season. With both Trojans on a collision course, the NFC may host an all-USC showdown for a Super Bowl berth.
Nothing says “USC did it again” like two quarterbacks birthed in Trojan clutches hijacking the NFC bracket. Lincoln Riley must be polishing a perpetual-motion machine—one that spits out NFL starters faster than you can say “fight on.” Meanwhile, the rest of the league is left wondering if they should have just flown in from L.A. to dodge Quinn’s directive. Grab your popcorn: it’s Trojan takeover time, and even the Coliseum snack bar can’t keep pace.
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