When the USC Trojans enter the Big Ten Conference in 2024, the team will look a lot different. That is because the WR room will be decimated by players either heading into the NFL Draft or having entered the transfer portal.
In just one short week, Mario Williams, Raleek Brown, and Michael Jackson III all entered the transfer portal. Brenden Rice and Tahj Washington have also declared for the NFL Draft.
With these five players no longer being in the lineup, the Trojans will lose some 65% of their offensive output at the position. These players leaving for the transfer portal for the fact that Lincoln Riley is being withheld, or because Caleb Williams might also enter the draft.
Either way, the Trojans will need to make sure they get some WR help back in the form of the transfer portal. The team is currently hosting Kansas State QB Will Howard, who also entered the transfer portal.
Should the Trojans secure Howard for the 2024 season, he could be a huge bargaining chip to use when convincing transfer portal WR to head to Southern California. USC is set to start Miller Moss for the Holiday Bowl on December 27, but he might not be the starter that everyone hopes he is.
Then again, Moss has been fired up to get his chance to start, and he could light it up for the Trojans. Should he do so, it will reinvigorate the team who will be without their top wideouts and Caleb Williams.
USC has been hit hard at the WR position, but the promise of a deeper run next year is well within their reach. D’Anton Lynn also came over from UCLA, along with Doug Belk. The Trojans will be fine, but the team will need to address the WR room.