Pittsburgh WR Jordan Addison joining Lincoln Riley, Caleb Williams at USC

Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rumors, potential tampering, and a disgruntled Pittsburgh program put star wide receiver Jordan Addison’s transfer bid into the national spotlight. But after mulling offers from surely every top school in the nation, Addison decided to take his talents to Southern California.

Addison will don the cardinal and gold for USC in the 2022 college football season, joining quarterback Caleb Williams and head coach Lincoln Riley to form one of the most high-flying offenses in the country.

Pittsburgh WR Jordan Addison transferring to USC

As a true freshman, Addison hauled in 60 receptions for 666 yards and four touchdowns in 2020. But that was just a sliver of what was to come. Addison both benefitted from and aided in Kenny Pickett’s fifth-year breakout last season. The former Pittsburgh wideout generated 1,593 yards and 17 TDs on 100 receptions. Furthermore, he logged the same amount of games (three) with less than 80 yards and more than 170.

Addison accounted for 37% of Pickett’s passing yards (4,319) and 40% of his passing touchdowns (42). For his efforts, Addison won the prestigious Fred Biletnikoff Award (given to the country’s most outstanding receiver), was a consensus All-American, and received first-team All-ACC recognition.

As a result, many considered Addison one of — if not the — top receivers returning in 2022. With Pickett graduating to the NFL, WR coach Brennan Marion (Texas) and offensive coordinator Mark Whipple (Nebraska) took lateral positions with other Power Five schools. That’s a lot of change for a program to endure in one offseason. And even with USC’s Kedon Slovis transferring in under center, the unknown isn’t attractive for an elite 2023 NFL prospect.

In a tweet announcing his transfer, Addison stated, “I have now carefully considered the advice of my family and close friends and fully weighed both the risks and benefits with my decision. I also respect that others may make a different choice. But for me, I will continue my full development as a student athlete by enrolling at USC.”

Outlook with the Trojans

Now that Addison has decided to join Riley and Williams at USC, what can we expect from the Trojans in 2022? The real question might be, “what can’t we expect?”

Williams stole the starting job from now-South Carolina QB Spencer Rattler last season. He completed 64.5% of his throws for 1,912 yards, 21 TDs, and four INTs. Moreover, he proved to be a rushing threat in Riley’s Air Raid offense, recording 442 yards and six scores.

USC looks to be the leader in the Pac-12, with Oregon RB Travis Dye, Oklahoma WR Mario Williams, Colorado WR Brenden Rice, and Washington WR Terrell Bynum joining the transfer-infused offense. The unit also includes homegrown talents WR Gary Bryant Jr., WR Tahj Washington, G Andrew Vorhees, and OT Jonah Monheim.

In his five years with the Sooners, Riley didn’t lose more than two games in a season. Coincidently, his first season as Oklahoma’s head coach (2017) was USC’s last double-digit-win campaign.

Riley has manufactured elite production from all his QBs, including Baker Mayfield (2017), Kyler Murray (2018), Jalen Hurts (2019), Spencer Rattler (2020), and Williams (2021). He will hope to maintain that success with Williams and Co. in 2022. Currently, his squad owns 25-1 odds (tied for fifth) to win the national championship.

Addison will be the unquestioned No. 1 option in the offense and could produce in the range of 1,200-1,400 yards and 12-14 touchdowns. With a new QB and offense in place, the former Pitt receiver will have some growing pains. But the talent is there for Riley to field yet another offensive powerhouse and help propel Addison toward the NFL as a first-round selection.