It’s no secret that college football has become NIL-driven. Since the dawn of NIL in 2019, college football has become an arms race for buying talent through the recruiting and transfer portal cycle. While some teams have evened the playing field through NIL collectives and strategic recruiting tactics, others have lost their identity as consistent winners. Under head coach Lincoln Riley, the USC Trojans have continued to trend downward since he arrived in 2022.
Following an 11-3 season ending in a narrow Cotton Bowl loss, the USC Trojans went 8-5 in 2023 and then 6-6 this year. More notably, USC’s recruiting cycle has turned on its head, with the program continuing to leak top-end talent to the transfer portal. On Wednesday, following the loss of Zion and Zachariah Branch, fans took a deep dive into USC’s two-year recruiting cycle under Riley, bashing him for his inability to hold onto top-tier talent.
College Football Fans Dumbfounded With USC Recruiting
According to Aaron Torres of Fox Sports Radio:
Lincoln Riley had three five-stars in his first full recruiting class at USC. All three have since transferred. YIKES.
Since the 2021 recruiting class, the USC Trojans have lost ten of their 15 five and four-star prospects from the 2021 and 2022 recruiting class to the transfer portal. Earlier this week, USC lost Zion and Zachariah Branch, with the former being a four-star recruit in the 2021 class and the latter being a five-star recruit in the 2022 class. Zion Branch’s departure means all five four and five-star recruits from the 2021 class are no longer with the team. Meanwhile, Zachariah is the third five-star from the 2022 class to leave.
Joining Zachariah Branch as the top transfer losses from the 2022 class are quarterback Malachi Nelson and tight end Duce Robinson. Nelson left for Boise State last offseason, while Robinson had 23 receptions, 396 yards, and five touchdowns for USC this season. As for the younger Branch, he had 47 receptions for 502 yards and one score. With USC floundering regarding the transfer portal, fans put the program on blast via social media:
Five star recruits disappearing like a matching sock in the dryer.
— The Sideline Podcast (@sidelineffpod) December 17, 2024
I agree we aren’t going in the right direction right now but is this same dynamic not true for most programs in 2024? The portal takes top talent from every team.
— Trojan Nation (@TrojanNation__) December 17, 2024
Good thing the university didn't sign him to a 10-year contract worth over $100 million… whew!
— Mookie (@stretchmikep) December 17, 2024
Brutal..
OU fans tried to warn you about LR.— Nick Gray (@oklahomanick) December 18, 2024
Same thing happened at OU. Soon he will leave right before there are none left…
— Honus (@honusperk) December 17, 2024
Reexamine buyout numbers?
— Quarter Zip Sports (@TheQuarterZip) December 17, 2024
And he thought he could own Pinnacle after the Rattler situation?
— Trent Dunn (@TrentDDunn) December 18, 2024
Dec 17. The date my Alma Mater died. No amount of ridicule will ever be enough until Riley is gone, the AD is gone and Folt is gone. It would literally be better to self impose the death penalty for one year and start all over in fall of 2026. This is beyond the pale.
— Gent D50 (@CorleoneFiveO) December 18, 2024
Lincoln Riley completely destroyed 2 blue blood programs. That’s kinda impressive
— Braxdan Turner (@FBCoachBT12) December 17, 2024
I can’t blame a single player for leaving this team or Lincoln Riley
— LA (@LASportsFanatic) December 17, 2024
More College Football News by Gridiron Heroics
-
‘He’s Transferring To A Different Penitentiary’: Georgia Football Targeted After Troubled WR Hits Transfer Portal
-
‘May As Well Be The NFL G-League’: College Football Fans Flabbergasted Over Latest $1M NIL Demand
-
‘Stop Wishing Players The Best When They Switch Sides to Beat Us’: Oklahoma Football Fans Irate With Landing Spot Of Former 5-Star QB
For More Football News:
For More Football News and to dive into the excitement, follow me on Twitter at Let’s_musa. Let’s get the conversation! I’m all ears for your thoughts and insights. You can also reach out to me via email at musaalec@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest college and NFL news, click here!
