It has been an up-and-down transfer portal season for the USC Trojans. Nay, not just the Trojans but for every College Football team.
What started out very doom and gloom turned a corner when it was announced during bowl practices that starting guard Emmanuel Pregnon would be returning in 2025.
In late November, Pregnon accepted an invite to the East-West Shrine Game, indicating that he would be turning Pro and entering the NFL Draft.
Then, as previously mentioned, new OL Coach Zach Henson announced that he would be returning.
Now, in fairly shocking news, Emmanuel Pregnon has entered the transfer portal.
USC Trojans Starting Guard Enters Transfer Portal
We are working to learn more, but this definitely comes as a surprise as Pregnon seemed locked in to return and anchor the offensive line that would have featured two new starters in 2025 (with Elijah Paige and Alani Noa returning).
Pregnon played in the Las Vegas Bowl, so either something happened from then until now, or this was his plan, but he wanted to play in the Bowl Game with his teammates.
Whether it was NIL-related, or something else, this will leave a rather large hole for the Trojans. They were going to need to add multiple offensive linemen through the portal regardless, but now they will need to add another starter as the remainder of their depth is extremely young.
Also Read: 2025 USC Trojans Transfer Portal Tracker
The room does have quite a bit more talent and depth than the outside world recognizes, but as mentioned, it is very inexperienced.
Killian O’Connor, who could be the starting Center is currently a Junior, and starting Guard Alani Noa is a true Sophomore. Every other scholarship lineman is a redshirt freshman or incoming freshman in the 2025 class.
I wrote just yesterday about how former Syracuse starting Center, J’onre Reed, could be an option in the portal, and now it will be even more important to get some solid additions.
It will certainly be interesting to see how this all shakes out.