UCLA and USC football transfer portal tracker: Who’s in and who’s out?

Think your team stinks? Mad at your coach? Unhappy with your playing time?

Get a move on. Transfer portal season is here.

A nearly monthlong window for undergraduate college football players to enter the transfer portal opens Dec. 4 and closes Jan. 2, with graduate transfers previously allowed to declare their intentions to explore leaving their current school.

The spring football transfer window runs from April 16-30.

Here’s a look at the players coming and going from USC and UCLA listed in most recent order of their announcements via social media and media reports, with the caveat that players listed as entering the portal can potentially stay at their current schools if they do not find another landing spot.

Who’s coming to USC?

Mississippi State running back Jo’Quavious Marks (7) announced he plans to transfer to USC.

(Rogelio V. Solis / Associated Press)

Size: 6-2, 210

Class in 2024: Graduate transfer

Seasons of eligibility remaining: Two

Buzz: A Division III transfer from Tufts, Richardson caught 13 touchdown passes in 2023 and was named the New England Small College Athletic Conference co-offensive player of the year. His 20 career touchdowns — accomplished in just two nine-game seasons — are a school record. The San Mateo native returns to California to help prop up a USC receiver group that is in need of a reboot after losing Tahj Washington and Brenden Rice to the NFL and Mario Williams and Michael Jackson III to the transfer portal.

Size: 6-1, 205

Year in 2024: Redshirt sophomore

Seasons of eligibility remaining: Three

Buzz: The promising young safety will follow former UCLA defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn to USC after starting 11 games for the Bruins in 2023. He could challenge for the starting role as a quick replacement if redshirt senior Max Williams decides to forgo his final year of eligibility. Ramsey had 40 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and one interception.

Size: 6-2, 205

Class in 2024: Graduate transfer

Seasons of eligibility remaining: One

Buzz: Humphrey, another crosstown defection following D’Anton Lynn, is USC’s fourth Pac-12 cornerback transfer under Lincoln Riley, joining Mekhi Blackmon (Colorado), Jacobe Covington (Washington) and Christian Roland-Wallace (Arizona). Blackmon and Roland-Wallace emerged as USC’s top corners in the past two seasons as the Trojans struggled to develop their own talent at the position. Humphrey could also reunite with high school teammate Calen Bullock if the All-American returns for his senior season. The two Pasadena natives played at Muir High.

Size: 5-10, 210

Class in 2024: Graduate transfer

Seasons of eligibility remaining: One

Buzz: Marks, who goes by the nickname Woody, is the fourth transfer running back USC has found in Riley’s three recruiting cycles and will be tasked with replacing South Carolina transfer MarShawn Lloyd. Along with being a mainstay in the Mississippi State backfield for four years, rushing for 1,883 yards and 22 touchdowns, Marks is the program leader in receptions with 214 career catches and has the most receiving yards by a running back (1,225) in program history. He will lead an inexperienced running back room led by rising sophomores Quinten Joyner and A’Marion Peterson and four-star freshman signee Bryan Jackson.

Size: 6-3, 195

Class in 2024: Graduate transfer

Seasons of eligibility remaining: One

Buzz: A former junior college transfer, Nicholson played two seasons at Mississippi State, including seven starts last year. Nicholson was a quarterback in high school before switching to defense as a sophomore at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. The Trojans need cornerback depth after the transfers of Domani Jackson and the graduation of Christian Roland-Wallace. USC also signed two freshman cornerbacks in its early signing class in Braylon Conley, a four-star recruit from Texas, and St. John Bosco star Marcelles Williams.

Size: 5-11, 228

Class in 2024: Senior

Seasons of eligibility remaining: One

Buzz: Another offseason, another transfer inside linebacker for the Trojans. The position has been a glaring weakness during Lincoln Riley’s early tenure with injuries and inconsistent play. Mascarenas-Arnold is the next great hope. The Mission Viejo native led Oregon State with 107 tackles, 6½ tackles for a loss and two interceptions in 2023, his first as a full-time starter. He could play immediately as the Trojans hope to replace two-time captain Shane Lee.

Size: 5-11, 200

Class in 2024: Grad transfer

Seasons of eligibility remaining: One

Buzz: The morning after Mascarenas-Arnold committed to USC, his brother Akili Arnold announced his intention to return to Southern California as well. Arnold, a safety who had 60 tackles, two interceptions and six pass breakups for Oregon State last season, will be a sixth-year player for the Trojans. The Trojans are searching for a steady running mate next to All-American Calen Bullock as Max Williams, Bryson Shaw and Zion Branch all struggled with injuries.

Size: 6-2, 210

Class in 2024: Senior

Seasons of eligibility remaining: Two

Buzz: Michigan State’s starting long snapper left the team after coach Mel Tucker was fired on Sept. 27. The midseason departure saved him a year of eligibility after starting as a freshman in all 13 of Michigan State’s games and playing five games as a sophomore before getting injured. The Trojans need a new long snapper to replace Jack Casasante, who has held the position for the last two seasons. Pepper was 247Sports’ No. 1 long snapper in his recruiting class.

Size: 6-5, 280

Class in 2024: Graduate transfer

Seasons of eligibility remaining: One

Buzz: USC is trying to get bigger in the trenches under new coordinator D’Anton Lynn, so a 280-pound lineman can’t hurt. A three-star prospect out of high school, Clifton was one of the more coveted defensive lineman in the portal on account of the step forward he took last season. Clifton had 5.5 sacks as a senior at Vanderbilt after tallying just two combined in two seasons prior.

Size: 6-4, 220

Class in 2024: Redshirt sophomore

Seasons of eligibility remaining: Three

Buzz: A transfer from UNLV, Maiava committed to Georgia out of the portal, but then flipped his pledge to the Trojans a day later. The Honolulu native who went to two high schools in Hawaii before his senior year in Nevada threw for 3,085 yards, 17 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in his first year as a starter with UNLV, completing 63.4% of his passes. Lincoln Riley said the Trojans could target two transfer quarterbacks this offseason to reload the room that is losing Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams and former five-star freshman Malachi Nelson, and Maiava delivers on Riley’s vision as a younger transfer. He will compete with returning backup Miller Moss for the starting role.

Size: 6-2, 320

Class in 2024: Graduate transfer

Seasons of eligibility remaining: One

Buzz: Raikes is USC’s second defensive front transfer from Texas A&M in as many seasons, joining Anthony Lucas in the westward migration. Raikes, a nose tackle, played in 36 consecutive games for the Aggies, mostly as a reserve on the defensive line. His size addresses an immediate need for USC’s remade defensive front under first-year coordinator D’Anton Lynn. Raikes had 17 tackles, one sack and one forced fumble for the Aggies last year.

Who’s leaving USC?

USC quarterback Malachi Nelson comes out of the locker room for a spring practice session at Howard Jones Field in March.

(Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Size: 6-3, 230

Class in 2024: Redshirt senior

Seasons of eligibility remaining: Two

Buzz: Height will take advantage of the NCAA approving immediate eligibility for two-time transfers after he started his career at Auburn, where he played two seasons. Height’s USC tenure sputtered out of the gate because of a shoulder injury in 2022 that limited him to just two starts, and he couldn’t carve out a large role in 2023 behind Jamil Muhammad and Solomon Byrd. Height played in 12 games in 2023 with 21 tackles, six tackles for loss and four sacks.

Size: 6-0, 180

Class in 2024: Senior

Seasons of eligibility remaining: One

Buzz: With the NCAA allowing two-time transfers to play without sitting out a season, Singer’s departure from USC felt expected after the former All-Pac-12 receiver at Arizona failed to carve out a big role with the Trojans. Singer had 1,105 yards on 66 catches for the Wildcats in 2022 and transferred to USC with much fanfare. But he caught just 24 passes for 289 yards and three touchdowns for the Trojans.

Size: 6-4, 235

Class in 2024: Senior

Seasons of eligibility remaining: One

Buzz: Foreman was the No. 1 overall recruit in the 2021 class — and one of the highest-rated Trojan prospects ever — when he signed with USC in Dec. 2021. His arrival was viewed as such a major moment that it was announced with a billboard on campus. But one defensive line coach after another struggled to get the best out of Foreman. He moved from defensive line to linebacker, then back to defensive line again. There’s a reason he was once seen as a generational pass rushing prospect, but it’ll be up to another program to figure out how to unlock that talent.

Size: 6-2, 225

Class in 2024: Sophomore

Seasons of eligibility remaining: Three

Buzz: Curtis, or “Captain America” as his teammates called him, had the full confidence of the coaching staff as he became the first true freshman to start a season opener at inside linebacker for USC since 2015. He maintained the starting role through eight games despite up-and-down play. Curtis, who turned 20 in October, finished with 40 tackles, two sacks and one fumble recovery.

Size: 6-1, 190

Class in 2024: Junior

Seasons of eligibility remaining: Two

Buzz: Jackson never fully lived up to his five-star billing at USC after working back from a knee injury he suffered during his senior season at Santa Ana Mater Dei High. One of the major recruiting victories for former cornerbacks coach Donte Williams, Jackson started 11 games as a sophomore with 33 tackles. Williams resigned at USC on Dec. 16 to take a position at Georgia.

Size: 6-3, 190

Class in 2024: Redshirt freshman

Seasons of eligibility remaining: Four

Buzz: USC’s quarterback of the future will leave after attempting just three passes in one appearance. The former Los Alamitos star and No. 1 recruit in the country was loyal to Lincoln Riley when the coach changed jobs, flipping his Oklahoma commitment to USC to give the Trojans an heir apparent to Caleb Williams. But Nelson, who Riley said struggled with injuries this season, couldn’t wrestle the backup position from Miller Moss and would have likely had to battle against another incoming transfer in 2024. His only appearance was against San José State when he completed one pass for no yards in the blowout win.

Size: 6-5, 300

Class in 2024: Graduate transfer

Seasons of eligibility remaining: One

Buzz: Tarquin was one of three offensive line transfers USC brought in last season in a retooled offensive line that never truly jelled. The Florida transfer grabbed the starting right tackle position, but lost the role midway through the season after the Trojans gave up six sacks against Notre Dame. Tarquin had 20 starts (10 at left guard and 10 at left tackle) at Florida and eight with the Trojans.

Size: 5-9, 175

Class in 2024: Senior

Seasons of eligibility remaining: One

Buzz: Williams is on the move for a second time after transferring from Oklahoma to follow Lincoln Riley and Caleb Williams in 2022. The receiver’s role shrunk significantly in his second season with the Trojans as he caught just 29 passes for 305 yards and two touchdowns compared to 40 catches, 631 yards and five touchdowns last year. Williams is the second USC receiver to announce his transfer. With Brenden Rice and Tahj Washington leaving to the NFL, the Trojans will have to rely on Dorian Singer and freshmen Zachariah Branch and Duce Robinson during the bowl season and beyond.

Size: 6-5, 315

Class in 2024: Graduate transfer

Seasons of eligibility remaining: One

Buzz: Milek is the latest player from USC’s subpar 2020 recruiting class to leave the Trojans. He was one of six linemen in the class and appeared in more games than many of them. But he never found a regular role.

Size: 6-0, 200

Class in 2024: Redshirt sophomore

Seasons of eligibility remaining: Three

Buzz: Ross committed to Clay Helton, but ended up as one of eight members of Lincoln Riley’s inaugural recruiting class at USC. Ross was a four-star cornerback in that 2022 class, but never earned a regular place in USC’s rotation, even after its depth at corner grew dire this season. He should have no trouble finding a landing spot.

Size: 6-0 200

Class in 2024: Senior

Seasons of eligibility remaining: One

Buzz: Jackson got off to a slow start this season because of injuries, but finished with 146 yards and one touchdown on 17 catches. The Las Vegas native struggled to break through in a crowded receiver room and battled small injuries that limited him to no more than nine games in a season, a career high he reached this year. He has 498 receiving yards and five touchdowns in his USC career and provides playmaking ability on punt return, where he filled in for Zachariah Branch this season when the freshman star was hurt.

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Size: 6-1, 270

Class in 2024: Graduate transfer

Seasons of eligibility remaining: One

Buzz: A signing day flip from Washington State in 2019, Benton never carved out a significant role on USC’s defensive line. He had 12 tackles in 2023, including a career-best five tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks, but didn’t see the field in the final two games against Oregon and UCLA after the dismissal of Alex Grinch.

Size: 6-2, 230

Class in 2024: Graduate transfer

Seasons of eligibility remaining: One

Buzz: When Thompson transferred from Auburn to USC in 2021, he had high hopes of helping turn around the Trojans’ defense under new coordinator Todd Orlando. But when USC’s staff turned over in 2022, Thompson never found his place in the Trojans’ plans under Alex Grinch. He moved from safety to linebacker and played only sparingly from there, even as USC struggled with depth at inside linebacker.

Size: 6-5, 240

Class in 2024: Graduate transfer

Seasons of eligibility remaining: One

Buzz: Slowed by back and foot injuries during his five-year career, the Bellflower St. John Bosco tight end had two catches for five yards and a touchdown in 2023 playing behind redshirt sophomore Lake McRee. His best season at USC was in 2021 when he appeared in 11 games with eight catches and 56 yards.

Size: 5-8, 185

Class in 2024: Redshirt sophomore

Seasons of eligibility remaining: Three

Buzz: It’s no surprise the former five-star prospect is hitting the transfer portal after taking an unexpected redshirt year. The former Mater Dei star provided flashes of brilliance as a freshman, but fell out of the rotation during his second year after a position switch from running back to receiver. He appeared in two games in 2023, catching three passes for 18 yards and running for one touchdown and 16 yards on three carries. As a freshman, Brown scored three rushing touchdowns, caught three touchdown passes and announced his arrival at USC by striking the Heisman pose in his first game against Rice.

Size: 6-0, 220

Class in 2024: Graduate transfer

Seasons of eligibility remaining: One

Buzz: The former Texas Christian transfer will look for his third college home after three seasons at USC. Barlow has been buried behind other transfer running backs both years with the Trojans, backing up Travis Dye and Austin Jones in 2022 and then playing behind MarShawn Lloyd and Jones in 2023. Barlow had eight carries for 81 yards and scored his one touchdown this season in a shootout against Washington when Lloyd was injured. Barlow, a Texas native, played two seasons at TCU, but has eligibility for a sixth season in college because of the pandemic.

Size: 6-1, 210

Class in 2024: Redshirt junior

Seasons of eligibility remaining: Two

Buzz: Gordon, a former four-star prospect, never really got it going at USC after being brought in by the previous staff. He didn’t factor in on the field this season. But at a position short on numbers, his departure leaves USC even more barren of depth in the defensive backfield.

Size: 6-2, 295

Class in 2024: Redshirt junior

Seasons of eligibility remaining: Two

Buzz: Sekona didn’t waste any time making his transfer intentions known, as word spread just one day after USC lost UCLA to end its season. As the Trojans retooled their defensive front, Sekona never really made his mark under Riley. He played only a bit part on USC’s defense, with one sack across two seasons.

Who’s coming to UCLA?

Marcus Ratcliffe playing for San Diego State against Ohio during a game on Aug. 26.

(Johm McCoy / Associated Press)

Size: 6-4, 255

Year in 2024: Graduate transfer

Seasons of remaining eligibility: One

Buzz: An Associated Press first-team All-American at the NCAA Division III level last season for Johns Hopkins, Schuermann recorded team highs with 15.5 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks. In just three seasons, Schuermann became the school’s all-time leader with 62.5 tackles for loss and 34.5 sacks.

Size: 6-5, 291

Year in 2024: Redshirt senior

Seasons of remaining eligibility: Two

Buzz: A four-star prospect out of high school, Carmody’s college career at Notre Dame was beset by ankle and hand injuries. He played in 10 games in 2021 before being limited to one game in 2022 and being sidelined for all of last season. Given UCLA’s struggles along the offensive line last season, Carmody could challenge for immediate playing time.

Size: 6-1, 196

Year in 2024: Graduate transfer

Seasons of remaining eligibility: One

Buzz: After being a productive part-time starter over the last three seasons at Notre Dame, Henderson should be in the mix to take one of UCLA’s starting safety spots given the Bruins’ mass departures in the secondary. Last season, while playing in 12 games and making one start, Henderson made one interception, forced a fumble and recovered two fumbles, including one in the end zone.

Size: 5-11, 186

Year in 2024: Graduate transfer

Seasons of eligibility remaining: One

Buzz: This will be Wallace’s third college stop after he spent his first three seasons at Notre Dame before transferring to Georgia Tech ahead of the 2022 season. Primarily playing nickel back for the Yellowjackets, Wallace made one interception, broke up seven passes and forced two fumbles last season. He should contend for an immediate starting spot given all of the departures in UCLA’s secondary.

Size: 6-4, 256

Year in 2024: Redshirt senior

Seasons of eligibility remaining: Two

Buzz: This is a move that will allow the former Navy standout to reunite with UCLA tight ends coach Ken Niumatalolo, who was Busic’s coach in Annapolis, Md. A former honorable mention All-American Athletic Conference selection in 2022, Busic was limited to four games in 2023 because of a torn biceps muscle. It’s expected he will have to petition the NCAA for his second season of remaining eligibility as a medical redshirt. In his last full season, Busic tallied six sacks and 8.5 tackles for loss while forcing two fumbles.

Size: 6-8, 270

Year in 2024: Redshirt freshman

Seasons of eligibility remaining: Four

Buzz: A former standout at Santa Margarita High, Acheampong will enjoy a homecoming with the Bruins while also filling a desperate need for edge rushers in the wake of the departures of Laiatu Latu and Grayson and Gabriel Murphy. Ranked as a four-star high school prospect, Acheampong did not play in his one season at Miami.

Size: 6-1, 175

Year in 2024: Sophomore

Seasons of eligibility remaining: Three

Buzz: After a season in which the school that produced Norm Johnson, John Lee and Chris Sailer struggled mightily to make field goals, connecting on just eight of 17 attempts, UCLA may have found its new kicker. In his only season at California, Bhaghani (pronounced BUH-gone-ee) made eight of nine field goal attempts, with a long of 43 yards, in addition to all 29 point-after attempts. He also handled kickoffs on a part-time basis for the Golden Bears.

Size: 6-2, 205

Year in 2024: Sophomore

Seasons of eligibility remaining: Three

Buzz: A native of North Highlands, Calif., Flores is headed much closer to home after one productive season at Notre Dame. He finished second on the Fighting Irish with 27 catches for 392 yards and one touchdown. Flores is rated as a four-star prospect in the 247Sports transfer rankings and should immediately challenge for a prominent role.

Size: 6-5, 198

Year in 2024: Senior

Seasons of remaining eligibility: One

Buzz: This is a big addition for the Bruins’ secondary, as well as a homecoming for the former Gardena Serra High star. Addison initially signed with UCLA before the school released him from his scholarship over an NCAA clearinghouse issue with a standardized test score. He went on to become a critical component of Oregon’s defense, making 30 tackles, two interceptions, five pass breakups and a forced fumble in 2022. This season, he started the first four games before leaving the team for what Ducks coach Dan Lanning described as “personal reasons.” Given his talent and experience, he’ll likely start from Day 1 with the Bruins.

Size: 6-3, 238

Year in 2024: Redshirt senior

Seasons of eligibility remaining: One

Buzz: An All-Ivy League honorable mention selection in 2022 at Yale, Vaughn is returning to his home state after having played in high school at San Jose Archbishop Mitty. Last season, Vaughn made 88 tackles, including 13 for loss, in addition to forcing three fumbles and intercepting three passes.

Size: 6-0, 200

Year in 2024: Redshirt senior

Seasons of eligibility remaining: One

Buzz: The likely successor to the departed Beau Gardner, Wilkins was the primary long snapper for each of the last two seasons at Elon, which plays in the Coastal Athletic Association Football Conference.

Who’s leaving UCLA?

UCLA quarterback Dante Moore talks to coach Chip Kelly during a win over Washington State in October. Moore is among the UCLA players entering the transfer portal.

(Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Size: 5-11, 190

Year in 2024: Graduate transfer

Seasons of eligibility remaining: One

Buzz: Lopez made six of 11 field goals before losing his job to Blake Glessner, who also struggled. The Bruins have since received a verbal commitment from California’s Mateen Bhaghani, who will likely take over the kicking duties next season.

Size: 6-4, 245

Year in 2024: Redshirt senior

Seasons of eligibility remaining: Two

Buzz: Having appeared in every game last season as the snapper for kicks and punts, Gardner is moving up in the football world by taking his talents to Georgia.

Size: 6-2, 200

Year in 2024: Redshirt freshman

Seasons of eligibility remaining: Four

Buzz: A former four-star high school prospect who played on a back-to-back state championship team, McClure appeared in only two games in his first college season, making no catches.

Size: 6-2, 205

Year in 2024: Graduate transfer

Seasons of eligibility remaining: One

Buzz: After developing into a reliable cornerback who made two interceptions and solidified the back end of the defense, Humphrey became the second starter in the secondary (in addition to safety Kamari Ramsey) to depart via the transfer portal. The Bruins must replace an unusually large chunk of their defensive backs with William Nimmo Jr. also transferring and Alex Johnson and Kenny Churchwell III exhausting their eligibility.

Size: 6-1, 200

Year in 2024: Graduate transfer

Seasons of eligibility remaining: One

Buzz: Nimmo became UCLA’s first defensive player to enter the transfer portal, thinning depth at a position of need with the departures of Kenny Churchwell III and Jordan Anderson. He’s coming off his best season, having logged career highs in tackles (21) and tackles for loss (two) while appearing in all 12 games and starting against Arizona State.

Size: 6-6, 310

Class in 2024: Graduate transfer

Seasons of eligibility remaining: One

Buzz: Wiley is on the move for the second time in less than a year after having arrived from Colorado before last season. Unable to beat out fellow transfer Spencer Holstege or former Bruin reserve Josh Carlin for a starting spot, Wiley played off the bench for the entire season as part of an offensive line that struggled mightily to protect the quarterback. UCLA gave up 42 sacks, ranking No. 122 out of 130 Football Bowl Subdivision teams, but it also generated a rushing attack that produced 191 yards per game, ranking No. 21 in the nation.

Size: 6-3, 210

Class in 2024: Sophomore

Seasons of eligibility remaining: Three

Buzz: Moore went from wunderkind to maligned during his one season as Bruin, the former five-star high school prospect failing to live up to the massive hype. After throwing for seven touchdowns and only one interception through his first three games, Moore tallied eight interceptions and four touchdown passes the rest of the season. He was replaced as the starter by Ethan Garbers after a string of three consecutive games with a pick-six. A shaky offensive line that kept Moore on the run and some questionable play calls from his coach didn’t help develop the true freshman. Moore will continue his college career at Oregon.

Size: 6-1, 190

Class in 2024: Graduate student

Seasons of eligibility remaining: One

Buzz: Even though he made eight starts, Brown’s role decreased in 2023 upon the arrival of several transfers and the emergence of Logan Loya as the team’s go-to receiver. Brown tallied 13 catches for 163 yards and a touchdown, just over half the 24 catches he made the previous season for 362 yards and three touchdowns. His next college will be his third after spending his first two seasons at Texas A&M.

Size: 6-4, 255

Class in 2024: Junior

Seasons of eligibility remaining: Two

Buzz: An increasingly valuable part of the offense, Ryan made 13 catches for 205 yards and three touchdowns. His 14-yard scoring reception against Arizona represented the Bruins’ only touchdown of the game. Ryan is set to play at Utah in 2024.

Size: 6-1, 205

Year in 2024: Redshirt sophomore

Seasons of eligibility remaining: Three

Buzz: The most promising young player on UCLA’s defense, Ramsey started all 11 games in which he played and made 40 tackles, including 2.5 for loss. He also intercepted a pass against California. The loss of Ramsey alongside the departures of Kenny Churchwell III and Jordan Anderson to eligibility exhaustion and William Nimmo Jr. to the transfer portal will force the Bruins to rely heavily on the portal for replacements.

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