USC has landed a huge commitment from former Pitt wide receiver Jordan Addison, the junior announced Thursday. Addison, the 2021 All-American and defending Biletnikoff Award winner, chose the Trojans over Texas and Alabama’s power pitches and the chance to return to the Panthers after just over two weeks into the portal .
Addison, Player No. 5 enters the transfer door according to 247Sports, a game-changing addition to coach Lincoln Riley’s debut at USC. Born in Frederick, Maryland, Addison caught 100 passes for 1,593 yards and 17 touchdowns in his sophomore season, eventually becoming Pitt’s first ACC title. Addison’s efforts were so impressive that he even helped Panthers quarterback Kenny Picket get a trip to the Heisman finals (and later first-round picks in the NFL draft). New York opportunity.
trojan favorite to land in addison from the very beginning After completing the country’s first transfer class. Riley brought quarterback Caleb Williams and receiver Mario Williams from Oklahoma, along with running back Travis Dye (Oregon), receiver Brenden Rice (Colorado) and offensive tackle Bobby Haskins (Virginia). state), etc. However, Addison makes a sound case as the top transfer in the country – if not one of the top transfers in recent memory. Along with Williams, Addison should help create one of the most dynamic offenses in college football in 2022.
Here are the key takeaways from Addison’s decision to join Riley’s offense in Los Angeles.
perfect fit
Addison played at Gonzaga High School in Washington, D.C., at Tuscarola High School, just an hour’s drive from Williams. The pair shared several proposals during their visit to the transfer portal, and reportedly kept in touch as Addison went through the transfer process.
Now, the duo is getting ready to play for one of college football’s greatest offensive minds. Riley developed two Heisman quarterbacks and three finalists during his five years as Oklahoma coach. Receivers also benefited from Riley’s development, with stars like CeeDee Lamb going through the Sooners program before joining the Dallas Cowboys for success in the NFL.
With the addition of Williams and Addison, USC is poised to be one of college football’s most talented offenses. The Trojans deserve more than Pete to give Addison a chance to showcase his talent.
Huge blow to Pete
It’s not just Addison that’s shaking, because the Panthers have gone through massive changes this offseason. Quarterback Kedon Slovis transferred from USC to replace Pickett; offensive coordinator Mark Whipple traveled to Nebraska to be replaced by Boston College’s Frank Cignetti Jr.; wide receivers coach Brennan Marion Marion, a rising star in the industry, headed to Texas.
Addison was outstanding in his two years at Pitt, completing 2,000 receiving yards, second only to Larry Fitzgerald’s single-season receiving record. However, that wasn’t Pitt’s ACC title-winning offense. While Addison could have eased the transition for Slovis and new hires, the Panthers are now starting from the beginning.
no time to rest
The pressure to perform has never been more pronounced for a high-profile coach, but thanks to the transfer portal, Riley has completely transformed his roster in one offseason.
From day one, Caleb Williams, Mario Williams and Addison have been one of the most dynamic passing offenses in the country. Dye rushed for nearly 1,300 yards and 16 touchdowns to help Oregon reach the Pac-12 championship game. The Trojans also added 10 defensive transfers in an attempt to fill holes quickly.
Historically, rebuilding has been a three-year process: evaluation, development and competition. With the help of the transfer portal, Riley quickly brought the anticipation of competing for a college football playoff spot — and more — in time for his first game on campus. All eyes will be on Los Angeles when the season begins on September 3 against Rice.
