The position that is perhaps taking the biggest hit for the USC Trojans this offseason is the linebacker room. Not only are Easton Mascarenas-Arnold and Mason Cobb heading to the NFL Draft, but esteemed LB Coach Matt Entz is now the head coach at Fresno State.
There is still plenty of talent in the room with Eric Gentry and Raesjon Davis returning as the veterans with talented freshmen Desman Stephens II and Elijah Newby, but the Trojans will still need to add some talent and experience to the room.
Enter former Marshall LB Jaden Yates.
According to Allen Trieu of 247 Sports, Yates has heard from the USC Trojans, along with UCLA, Florida State, Colorado, and others.
USC Trojans Pursuing Jaden Yates
While playing at a smaller program in Marshall, Yates was highly productive finishing last season with 119 tackles and 7.5 tackles for loss.
The 6’1, 215-pound LB out of Columbus, Ohio registered a 71.5 tackling grade, per PFF. For context, Mascarenas-Arnold finished with a 64.8 tackling grade.
Also Read: USC Closing In On Coveted Former 5-Star Defensive Lineman
It will be really interesting to see if D’Anton Lynn and USC will need to hire an LB coach before closing any of these transfer portal players, or if they can get someone like Yates to sign before a coach is finalized.
Either way, they will need to move fast in both situations as the transfer portal goes fast and furious.
Follow our 2025 USC Trojans Transfer Portal Tracker.