USC offensive lineman Jason Zandamela has entered the transfer portal, 247Sports reports. Though the move shouldn’t come as a surprise — 247Sports reported as early as April 11 that Zandamela was expected to leave the program — it’s still a significant loss at a position of need for the Trojans.
It also hurts USC from an optics perspective. Zandamela — 247Sports’ No. 46 overall prospect and No. 1 interior offensive lineman — was the highest-ranked recruit to sign with the Trojans in the 2024 class. He was also the only top-50 prospect coach Lincoln Riley brought in entering during that cycle.
Zandamela is now the No. 2 prospect available in the transfer portal, behind ex-Alabama and Iowa offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor. His departure underscores a concerning trend for the Trojans under Riley.
Even with Zandamela in the fold, USC’s 2024 recruiting class finished 17th in the 247Sports Team Composite recruiting rankings. That’s the lowest-ranked haul of Riley’s career, provided he was head coach for a full recruiting cycle. It’s also just the second time since Riley became a head coach that he’s failed to sign at least one five-star prospect. Barring any surprise portal additions, the 2024 season will be Riley’s first without a top-50 freshman on the roster.
This recruiting cold streak coincides with the worst on-field season in the Riley era. With a former Heisman Trophy winner in Caleb Williams at quarterback and a defense supposedly revamped with a bountiful transfer haul, USC limped to a 7-5 regular season record capped by a win over Louisville in the Holiday Bowl.
As USC moves to an uber-competitive Big Ten and faces pressure to make an expanded College Football Playoff, Zandamela’s decision further exacerbates significant…
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