USC Trojans football earns top spot in transfer portal recruiting rankings: Report
For years, fans have religiously followed the high school and junior college recruiting class rankings to get an idea of the future of their college football programs.
But in the NCAA's transfer portal era there's another key component to watch.
The additions a program makes via transfer.
In fact, movement has become so commonplace that CBS Sports ranked the nation's top five transfer portal hauls this offseason.
Unsurprisingly, the USC Trojans, who added 19 players via the portal, were crowned kings.
Here's what CBS Sports had to say about USC's talent acquisition:
"If there was any doubt, USC has no interest in waiting to compete for the College Football Playoff after stealing Lincoln Riley from Oklahoma. The Trojans reeled in 19 transfers – four more than any other program – including two of the top four players in the class.
Quarterback Caleb Williams is the story after following Riley from Oklahoma, but Biletnikoff-winning receiver Jordan Addison made headlines after joining the Trojans last week. The combination immediately rivals C.J. Stroud and Jaxon Smith-Njigba among the best QB-WR combos in college football. Additionally, don't think Riley skimped on defense. Eleven defenders are coming to Los Angeles via the transfer portal.
USC's roster was already underappreciated after collapsing following Clay Helton's firing. With the influx of talent heading to Heritage Hall, the Trojans will quickly hold expectations to challenge for the Pac-12."
Rounding out the top five was Ole Miss, Texas, Nebraska and South Carolina, which you can read about here.
Will that continue going forward?
While college football programs have made the transfer portal a source for quick upgrades, it seems unlikely Riley will rely so heavily upon the portal going forward.
The Trojans already have seven commitments in the 2023 recruiting cycle, including all three of the Pac-12 Conference's five-star pledges so far.
>>> Pac-12 football recruiting by the numbers: USC leads the way, but Oregon within striking distance
