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1
It’s portal season!
A 45-day window for college football players to enter the transfer portal closed Jan. 18.
As players contemplate their next destination, coaches are making wish lists and snatching up new arrivals to bolster their rosters.
After a stellar 2022 campaign, USC quarterback Caleb Williams wins the Heisman Trophy, beating out runner-up Max Duggan, C.J. Stroud and Stetson Bennett.
Another window will open from May 1-15, allowing additional movement after players determine where they stand on depth charts following spring practices.
Here’s a look at the players coming and going from USC and UCLA listed in chronological 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.
2
Who’s joining UCLA?
DL Keanu Williams
Size: 6-4, 300
Year in 2023: Redshirt sophomore
Seasons of eligibility remaining: Three
Buzz: The Oregon transfer was recruited by UCLA as a four-star prospect out of Clovis High, giving him some familiarity with the Bruins once he hit the transfer portal. Williams played sparingly in 2022, making two tackles and one pass breakup in six games, but he possesses enticing upside that could help him break into UCLA’s rotation next season.
(Andrew Shurtleff / Associated Press)
OT Khadere Kounta
Size: 6-6, 306
Year in 2023: Senior
Seasons of eligibility remaining: Two
Buzz: A candidate to start immediately at left tackle for the Bruins, the Old Dominion transfer combines excellent size and power. He started every game for the Monarchs at that position last season, helping running back Blake Watson rush for a school-record 259 yards and three touchdowns against Coastal Carolina.
(Wade Payne / Associated Press)
RB Carson Steele
Size: 6-1, 215
Year in 2023: Junior.
Seasons of eligibility remaining: Two (plus a redshirt).
Buzz: The Bruins might have found their replacement for Zach Charbonnet in a dynamic tailback who ran for 1,556 yards and 14 touchdowns last season at Ball State, earning first team All-Mid-American Conference honors. Steele should be an instant magnet for attention given his long flowing locks and pet alligator, Crocky-J, who resides in his childhood home in Greenwood, Ind. Combining vision with speed and strength, Steele has been called “Man of Steele,” among other nicknames, reportedly having been able to squat 400 pounds by the eighth grade.
California’s J. Michael Sturdivant announced Friday he will transfer to UCLA. He is expected to become a primary target for new quarterback Dante Moore.
K Blake Glessner
Size: 6-2, 180
Year in 2023: Junior.
Seasons of eligibility remaining: Two.
Buzz: A likely successor to Nicholas Barr-Mira, Glessner set single-season school records for field goals (24) and points (143) in 2022 at Montana State. Glessner made 24 of 30 field goals after having made 20 of 26 as a freshman in 2021.
(Steve Conner / Associated Press)
QB Collin Schlee
Size: 6-3, 213
Year in 2023: Redshirt senior.
Seasons of eligibility remaining: Two.
Buzz: The Kent State transfer joins an increasingly crowded quarterback room after a prolific season in which he finished 10th in school history in passing yards (2,109) and touchdown passes (13) and fifth in completion percentage (59%). A dual threat who also ran for 492 yards and five touchdowns, Schlee will presumably battle Ethan Garbers, Justyn Martin and any high school quarterbacks the Bruins are able to snag before next season for the starting spot in 2023.
UCLA quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (1) throws under pressure from California linebacker Oluwafemi Oladejo. Now Oladejo is poised to join the Bruins.
(Jed Jacobsohn / Associated Press)
LB Oluwafemi Oladejo
Size: 6-3, 255
Class in 2023: Junior
Seasons of eligibility remaining: Two
Buzz: Cal transfer known for his versatility and reliable tackling could immediately fortify the Bruins’ defense after finishing the 2022 season with 91 tackles and 4 1/2 tackles for loss, including a career-high 17 tackles against UCLA.
Edge Jake Heimlicher
Size: 6-4, 245
Class in 2023: Graduate transfer
Seasons of eligibility remaining: One
Buzz: After leading the Ivy League with nine sacks in his final season at Penn, the first-team all-conference performer appears ready for a significant step up in competition. Heimlicher could either replace — or complement — fellow edge rushers Laiatu Latu and Grayson and Gabriel Murphy, depending on their decisions whether to return for 2023 or opt for the NFL draft. Any crafty move resulting in a big play could immediately be dubbed “the Heimlicher maneuver.”
P Will Powers
Size: 6-2, 210
Class in 2023: Redshirt senior
Seasons of eligibility remaining: One
Buzz: The Manhattan Beach native is coming home as the Bruins continue their pursuit of an All-Ivy League team on the West Coast. Powers averaged 39.7 yards per punt this season on the way to becoming an honorable mention All-Ivy League selection. He’ll presumably take over the punting duties from Nicholas Barr-Mira, who is in the transfer portal.
G Spencer Holstege
Size: 6-5, 310
Year in 2023: Graduate transfer
Seasons of eligibility remaining: Two
Buzz: An honorable mention All-Big Ten selection in 2020, the Purdue transfer should significantly bolster what could be a depleted interior offensive line with the departure of UCLA guard Atonio Mafi and the possible exodus of Jon Gaines II should he elect to not utilize his final season of eligibility. Holstege was rated as the top pass blocking guard in the Big Ten this season by Pro Football Focus after not allowing one sack.
Army running back Anthony Adkins reacts against Wake Forest during the first half on Oct. 23, 2021, in West Point, N.Y.
(Adam Hunger / Associated Press)
RB Anthony Adkins
Size: 6-1, 245
Year in 2023: Redshirt junior
Seasons of eligibility remaining: Two
Buzz: A bruising style running back, the Army transfer will be among the candidates to get a significant number of carries upon the departure of Zach Charbonnet. In 2021, the last season he played, Adkins ran for 355 yards and five touchdowns in 76 carries for an average of 4.7 yards per carry. He sat out 2022 after entering the transfer portal before the season.
Oregon tight end Moliki Matavao runs the ball against Eastern Washington during the first quarter on Sept. 10 in Eugene, Ore.
(Andy Nelson / Associated Press)
TE Moliki Matavao
Size: 6-6, 240
Year in 2023: Junior
Seasons of eligibility remaining: Two
Buzz: A day after onetime Oregon commit quarterback Dante Moore switched his allegiance to UCLA, Matavao made a similar move in announcing his transfer to become a Bruin. Now Matavao will be able to catch passes from Moore at the Rose Bowl instead of Autzen Stadium. Last season, Matavao made 10 catches for 134 yards and one touchdown.
California wide receiver J. Michael Sturdivant, left, is transferring to UCLA.
(David Zalubowski / Associated Press)
WR J. Michael Sturdivant
Size: 6-3, 205
Year in 2023: Redshirt sophomore
Seasons of eligibility remaining: Three
Buzz: Whoever wins UCLA’s starting quarterback job now has his go-to guy in the California transfer who immediately becomes the Bruins’ top receiving threat. Combining top-notch speedand route running, Sturdivant was an honorable mention All-Pac-12 selection by conference coaches after a debut season in which he led the Golden Bears with 65 catches for seven touchdowns while ranking second on the team 755 receiving yards.
Bowling Green safety Jordan Anderson is transferring to UCLA.
(Kyusung Gong / Associated Press)
S Jordan Anderson
Size: 5-10, 200
Year in 2023: Graduate transfer
Seasons of eligibility reaming: One
Buzz: One of the top defensive backs in the transfer portal, Anderson figures to plug in as a replacement for the Bruins’ two departing safeties. The former Bowling Green standout is not only strong in coverage but can also disrupt in the backfield, having made three tackles for loss against New Mexico State in the Quick Lane Bowl. Anderson made four tackles when he faced the Bruins in September at the Rose Bowl and snagged an interception to go with his seven tackles against Eastern Kentucky.
OL Caleb Walker
Size: 6-5, 295
Year in 2023: Sophomore
Seasons of eligibility remaining: Three (plus redshirt)
Buzz: One of the top junior college offensive linemen on the transfer market, the former Visalia College of the Sequoias tackle should immediately bolster a team that needs a new starter at that position with the departure of Raiqwon O’Neal. Walker is expected to enroll in time to participate in spring practice and compete for one of the most important roles on the Bruins’ offense.
3
Who’s leaving UCLA?
UCLA kicker/punter Nicholas Barr-Mira is among the Bruins who have announced they are entering the transfer portal.
(Kyusung Gong / Associated Press)
P/K Nicholas Barr-Mira
Size: 6-0, 17-0
Class in 2023: Graduate student
Seasons of eligibility remaining: Two
Buzz: Proving to be more consistent as a punter than a kicker, Barr-Mira made 15 of 21 field-goal attempts, including a winning 24-yarder against South Alabama, while averaging 42.8 yards per punt. He recently committed to Mississippi State.
QB Chase Artopoeus
Size: 6-1, 195
Class in 2023: Graduate student
Seasons of eligibility remaining: Two
Buzz: Having played a handful of snaps in four seasons as a walk-on, Artopoeus is eager to throw his first pass at the college level. He tweeted that he had received offers from Stony Brook and Chattanooga.
DL Hayden Harris
Size: 6-5, 251
Class in 2023: Graduate student
Seasons of eligibility remaining: Two
Buzz: After the Bruins beat out the Colorado School of the Mines for the two-star prospect, Harris made his college debut this season and appeared in three games, logging no statistics.
LB Jeremiah Trojan
Size: 6-2, 219
Class in 2023: Redshirt junior
Seasons of eligibility remaining: Three
Buzz: His role having diminished from a reserve who played in eight games on defense and special teams in 2021 to making no appearances in 2022, Trojan’s departure isn’t much of a surprise. A native of Chandler, Ariz., Trojan tweeted that he had received an offer from Northern Arizona.
LB Erich Osteen
Size: 6-2, 220
Class in 2023: Graduate transfer
Seasons of eligibility remaining: Two
Buzz: Walk-on played briefly against Alabama State this season, his only appearance during his four seasons in the program.
(Jed Jacobsohn / Associated Press)
LB Kobey Fitzgerald
Size: 6-0, 215
Class in 2023: Graduate transfer
Seasons of eligibility remaining: One
Buzz: Fitzgerald’s career highlight came in 2020 when he made a tackle for loss against Stanford before playing sparingly over his final two seasons as a Bruin, making only one appearance, against Alabama State.
RB Christian Grubb
Size: 5-9, 170
Class in 2023: Graduate transfer
Seasons of eligibility remaining: Two
Buzz: A former track star whose career was slowed by an Achilles injury, Grubb played in just three games during his four-year UCLA tenure. He rushed for 57 yards and one touchdown on eight carries this season. Grubb won Southern Section Division 3 titles in the 100 and 200 meters and triple jump in high school.
UCLA wide receiver Matt Sykes (12) is tackled by Stanford cornerback Salim Turner-Muhammad (4) during the first half at the Rose Bowl on Oct. 29, 2022.
(Ashley Landis / Associated Press)
WR Matt Sykes
Size: 6-4, 200
Year in 2023: Graduate transfer
Seasons of eligibility remaining: Two
Buzz: After making 10 catches for 119 yards and one touchdown in three seasons while also contributing on special teams, Sykes is departing the Bruins. He made a season-high four catches for 48 yards, including a 24-yard touchdown, against Colorado in September.
4
Who’s joining USC?
(Phelan M. Ebenhack / Associated Press)
OT Michael Tarquin
Size: 6-5, 320
Class in 2023: Redshirt junior
Seasons of eligibility remaining: Two
Buzz: Tarquin started eight of nine games for Florida last season, and USC will take all the experience it can get up front where the Trojans will be replacing at least three starters. Tarquin played primarily right tackle with the Gators, but will give USC options at either bookend tackle spot.
Arizona State place kicker Eddie Czaplicki punts in the second half against Colorado on Oct. 29, in Boulder, Colo.
(David Zalubowski / Associated Press)
P Eddie Czaplicki
Size: 6-1, 200
Class in 2023: Junior
Seasons of eligibility remaining: Two
Buzz: A two-year starting punter for Arizona State, Czaplicki was named All-Pac-12 as a sophomore. He verbally committed to USC on Dec. 10 after leading the Pac-12 in punt average at 46.06 yards per punt with a long of 75 yards.
OLB Jamil Muhammad
Size: 6-2, 245
Class in 2023: Redshirt senior
Seasons of eligibility remaining: Two
Buzz: Muhammad could be a valuable playmaker up front for a much-maligned USC defense. He led Georgia State in sacks with six in 2021 and tallied a team-high eight quarterback hurries in 2022 along with 44 tackles, an interception and five tackles for loss. Muhammad originally signed with Vanderbilt but transferred to Georgia State in 2019 and took a redshirt year.
DL Kyon Barrs
Size: 6-3, 270
Class in 2023: Graduate transfer
Seasons of eligibility remaining: One
Buzz: The Murrieta native returns to Southern California after a four-year career at Arizona. He started 12 games with a career-high 39 tackles last year and earned second-team All-Pac-12 honors in 2021. After entering the transfer portal, Barrs received interest from LSU, Tennessee, Miami and Auburn, among others.
CB Christian Roland-Wallace
Size: 6-0, 180
Class in 2023: Redshirt senior
Seasons of eligibility remaining: One
Buzz: A three-year starter at Arizona, Roland-Wallace is coming home to Southern California as a contender for an immediate starting time at USC. The Palmdale native had a career-high 58 tackles last year, including a season-high eight against USC. The Trojans are losing starting corner Mekhi Blackmon.
Arizona wide receiver Dorian Singer (5) in the second half against Arizona State on Nov. 25 in Tucson, Ariz.
(Rick Scuteri / Associated Press)
WR Dorian Singer
Size: 6-1, 185
Class in 2023: Junior
Seasons of eligibility remaining: Two
Buzz: Singer was Arizona’s only selection to the All-Pac-12 team, earning second-team accolades after leading the conference with 1,105 receiving yards. He was named first-team all-conference by the Associated Press and surely left an impression on the USC coaching staff when he burned the Trojans for three touchdowns and 141 receiving yards in USC’s 45-37 win in the desert.
Oklahoma State linebacker Mason Cobb is seen during a game against TCU on Oct. 15 in Fort Worth, Texas.
(Brandon Wade / Associated Press)
LB Mason Cobb
Size: 6-1, 220
Class in 2023: Senior
Seasons of eligibility remaining: Two
Buzz: Cobb broke out during his junior year at Oklahoma State with 96 tackles and 13 tackles for loss, both team-highs. He had two sacks and one interception and was named second-team All-Big 12.
RB MarShawn Lloyd
Size: 5-9, 212
Class in 2023: Redshirt junior
Seasons of eligibility remaining: Two
Buzz: After finding its top two leading rushers in the transfer portal last season, USC has once again snagged a top prospect to lead its backfield. A top-50 recruit in the 2020 class, Lloyd led South Carolina in rushing yards (573) and touchdowns (9) last season, and he’s likely to step into the same role at USC. His arrival suggests that Austin Jones, the Trojans’ leading returning rusher, may either be on his way out or relegated to secondary duties once again.
OL Jarrett Kingston
Size: 6-5, 302
Class in 2023: Redshirt senior
Seasons of eligibility remaining: One
Buzz: A three-year starter at Washington State, Kingston was one of the better linemen in the Pac-12 this season. He didn’t allow a single sack over 398 snaps at left tackle this season, according to Pro Football Focus, and he should slide into one of the openings on USC’s offensive line. Whether that’s at left tackle on the interior, where he also played in Pullman, won’t be certain until spring.
DL Anthony Lucas
Size: 6-6, 270
Class in 2023: Sophomore
Seasons of eligibility remaining: Three
Buzz: USC missed out on Lucas when he was a five-star recruit. It didn’t miss after Lucas, one of the portal’s most coveted prospects, became available. Lucas played in just six games as a freshman at Texas A&M and didn’t record a sack, but there’s a reason he was a top-50 recruit. USC is betting it can unlock his sky-high potential.
DL Jack Sullivan
Size: 6-5, 275
Class in 2023: Redshirt senior
Seasons of eligibility remaining: One
Buzz: Sullivan emerged as Purdue’s most productive pass rusher this past season, after playing alongside first-round NFL draft pick George Karlaftis. His experience and production should be a major asset on a defensive line that’s being completely turned over.
Offensive lineman Ethan White
Size: 6-4, 331
Class in 2023: Senior
Seasons of eligibility remaining: One
Buzz: The second starting offensive linemen to leave Florida for Southern California this offseason, White is presumably a perfect fit for USC’s most glaring need up front. Replacing an All-American at left guard is no easy task, but White was a two-year starter in the SEC. He’ll be considered the favorite for the spot, with Gino Quinones also pushing for the position.
5
Who’s leaving USC?
(Jerome Miron / For The Times)
WR C.J. Williams
Size: 6-2, 190
Class in 2023: Sophomore
Seasons of eligibility remaining: Three
Buzz: A former top-100 high school prospect and a Santa Ana Mater Dei product, Williams was seen as a huge recruiting coup in USC’s 2022 class. It seemed early on this season like he might carve out on an immediate role. But Williams caught just four passes as a freshman in the Trojans’ crowded receiving corps. He’ll be a coveted receiver option in the portal.
USC linebacker Ralen Goforth tackles Utah quarterback Cameron Rising, whose helmet popped off during the Pac-12 title game. It was one of the more memorable plays of Goforth’s tenure with the Trojans. He has entered the transfer portal.
(Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times)
LB Ralen Goforth
Size: 6-2, 225
Class in 2023: Graduate student
Seasons of eligibility remaining: One
Buzz: The younger brother of former UCLA safety Randall Goforth, Ralen has been a part-time starter for the past three seasons but was the odd-man-out at inside linebacker after Shane Lee and Eric Gentry. But Goforth is still the most significant departure (so far) after his 43 tackles and a 31-yard pick-six this season.
DB Xavion Alford
Size: 6-0, 190
Class in 2023: Redshirt junior
Seasons of eligibility remaining: Three
Buzz: The former Texas transfer is back in the portal after injuries kept him off the field in 2022. He led the Trojans with three interceptions in 2021 and was named the team’s co-defensive perimeter player of the year.
LB Tayler Katoa
Size: 6-2, 240
Class in 2023: Graduate transfer
Seasons of eligibility remaining: Four
Buzz: Katoa enrolled at USC in spring 2017 but has never played a snap for the Trojans. The former three-star recruit served a two-year Mormon mission in 2018-19 and has been hampered by a knee injury that also cost him his freshman year.
LB Julien Simon
Size: 6-1, 230
Class in 2023: Redshirt sophomore
Seasons of eligibility remaining: Three
Buzz: Simon played in two games as a freshman, maintaining his redshirt status, and appeared in two games this season but didn’t record any statistics against Rice and Arizona State.
DL Colin Mobley
Size: 6-4, 290
Class in 2023: Redshirt sophomore
Seasons of eligibility remaining: Three
Buzz: A former three-star prospect from Maryland, Mobley didn’t play for Riley last season after playing sparingly as a freshman under Clay Helton. The fit apparently wasn’t quite right for Alex Grinch’s defense.
WR Gary Bryant Jr.
Size: 5-11, 180
Class in 2023: Redshirt junior
Seasons of eligibility remaining: Two
Buzz: For the better part of two seasons, it seemed that Bryant might break through as one of USC’s top receivers. But a series of soft-tissue injuries slowed his development, and under Riley, he tumbled down the depth chart. A former top prospect, Bryant made his intent to enter the portal clear early on in the season. Considering USC’s depth at wideout, he’s sure to get more opportunities elsewhere.
WR Kyle Ford
Size: 6-3, 220
Class in 2023: Redshirt senior
Seasons of eligibility remaining: One
Buzz: This one might sting a bit. Ford finally found his stride after years of dealing with injuries, and he showed some flashes of stardom last season. But in a crowded receiver room, he never quite broke through. Brenden Rice’s dominant bowl performance probably solidified his role as USC’s top possession receiver, leaving Ford on the periphery. Count on him, though, to make an impact wherever he lands.
LB Tuasivi Nomura
Size: 6-1, 230
Class in 2023: Redshirt senior
Seasons of eligibility remaining: One
Buzz: Nomura had played just 36 snaps before being thrust into a major role at linebacker this season. With USC adding several linebackers to the mix, that opportunity wasn’t going to be there this season.
DT Kobe Pepe
Size: 6-2, 320
Class in 2023: Sophomore
Seasons of eligibility remaining: Three
Buzz: Pepe never quite found his stride for USC up front, playing just 33 snaps over three seasons. The defensive line is in a state of transition, and Pepe likely wouldn’t have played much moving forward.
S Briton Allen
Size: 6-0, 190
Class in 2023: Redshirt senior
Seasons of eligibility remaining: One
Buzz: Allen didn’t play at all the past two seasons while dealing with injuries. Before that, he was largely a special teams contributor.
