Jordan Addison makes it official, announces he will transfer from Pitt to USC
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All-American wide receiver Jordan Addison, who made the Pitt passing game special last season on his way to winning the Biletnikoff Award, ended nearly three weeks of speculation Thursday when he announced he will transfer to USC.
Addison entered the NCAA transfer portal May 3 after reports arose that he was considering leaving Pitt to join first-year USC coach Lincoln Riley with the Trojans. There were charges that USC or people loosely associated with the university made improper contact with Addison with promises of name, image and likeness riches, before his name appeared in the portal. At the time, Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi called Riley to complain, according to a report from ESPN college football reporter Pete Thamel, but no evidence of tampering has surfaced.
Addison, a three-star prospect who committed to Pitt in 2020 from Tuscarora High School in Frederick, Md., is entering his junior season after catching a Pitt-record 100 passes for 1,593 yards (fourth in the nation) and 17 touchdowns (tied for first). His connection with quarterback Kenny Pickett helped Pitt win its first ACC championship. In 2020, Addison was named a Freshman All-American after recording 60 receptions for 666 yards and four touchdowns.
It is assumed Addison will play only one more year in college before heading to the NFL. He already has been projected as a first-round selection in the 2023 draft.
Despite Pitt’s success with Addison catching passes from Pickett all over the field, situations changed after the 2021 season. Pitt lost Pickett, who was drafted in the first round by the Pittsburgh Steelers, offensive coordinator Mark Whipple to Nebraska and receivers coach Brennan Marion to Texas. Plus, Addison has a previous relationship with USC quarterback Caleb Williams, a Washington, D.C., native and, more importantly, a Heisman Trophy candidate.
Riley coached two Heisman-winning quarterbacks, Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray, at Oklahoma. Many factors, not just NIL, helped lead Addison to USC.
Addison also considered transferring to Texas and even met with Longhorns coach Steve Sarkisian and Marion in Austin. Alabama was in the mix, too, but USC always was considered the front-runner for Addison’s services.
Riley, who left Oklahoma to revive the Trojans program, vowed to overhaul the USC roster after the team finished 4-8 last season. Addison is the 19th transfer to declare for the Trojans since Riley arrived and the fourth wide receiver, a group that includes Terrell Bynum (Washington), former five-star recruit Mario Williams (Oklahoma) and Brenden Rice (Colorado). ESPN’s early Top 25 projection ranks USC No. 4 and Pitt No. 15.
Addison is the most high-profile transfer this offseason as players are moving from team to team in increasing numbers now that the NCAA allows immediate eligibility.
Pitt’s loss can’t be minimized.
Addison’s speed and route running helped Pitt finish third in the nation in points per game (41.4) and helped lead the Panthers to their first 11-victory season in 40 years and a No. 13 finish in the final Associated Press poll.
Narduzzi made use of the transfer portal earlier this offseason when he secured commitments from freshman All-American wide receiver Konata Mumpfield, formerly of Akron, and Bub Means, who previously played at Tennessee and Louisiana Tech.
Mumpfield and Means will team with senior Jared Wayne, sophomore Jaden Bradley, junior Jaylon Barden and tight end Gavin Bartholomew as prime, experienced targets for quarterbacks Kedon Slovis and Nick Patti.
— Jordan Addison (@Espn_Jordan) May 19, 2022