USC's 2026 transfers are making waves across the college football landscape, with several key players finding new homes and fresh starts. Here's a breakdown of where these talented individuals landed and what their roles might entail at their respective destinations.
QB Husan Longstreet: LSU
Longstreet, who faced stiff competition for the backup quarterback spot at USC, finds himself in a similar situation at LSU. With Sam Leavitt as the presumed starter, Longstreet will battle it out with Landen Clark for the backup role. While he has more upside, Clark's experience and success at Elon make him a formidable competitor. Longstreet's move to LSU, under head coach Lane Kiffin, presents an opportunity to showcase his skills, but the competition remains fierce.
RB Bryan Jackson: Wisconsin
Jackson, a power-back option with good speed and awareness, joins a Wisconsin team that returns leading rusher Darrion Dupree and adds Abu Sama III and Nate Palmer. With a crowded backfield, Jackson may find his niche as a short-yardage specialist, but he faces stiff competition from established players.
RB Harry Dalton III: Maryland
Dalton, a raw talent who turned heads in his first year of college ball, heads to Maryland. With the Terrapins returning leading rusher DeJuan Williams and adding transfers Iverson Howard and Terrez Worthy, Dalton will need to carve out a role in the rotation. His potential to develop in the right scheme makes him an intriguing prospect.
WR DJ Jordan: Arizona
Jordan, a talented receiver with speed and footwork, joins a depleted Arizona receiver room. With three transfer additions and three returners, Jordan will compete for a starting spot against established players like Tre Spivey, Chris Hunter, and Giovanni Richardson. His ability to create space will be valuable, but the competition is fierce.
WR Prince Strachan: West Virginia
Strachan, a length-oriented receiver with big flashes, joins a West Virginia team looking to fill the void left by three departing starters. With four receiver additions from the portal, Strachan will compete for a rotational spot against players like DJ Epps, TaRon Francis, John Neider, and Jaden Bray. His potential to contribute immediately makes him an exciting prospect.
TE Walker Lyons: BYU
Lyons, a reliable tight end with good hands and blocking skills, joins his brother, quarterback Ryder Lyons, at BYU. With the Cougars' offense in flux, Lyons should step into the starting lineup, providing a solid presence alongside Oregon transfer Roger Saleapaga II and second-year quarterback Bear Bachmeier.
TE Joey Olsen: New Mexico
Olsen, a high school receiver transitioning to tight end, joins a New Mexico team with a deep tight end room. With nine tight ends on the roster, Olsen will face a challenging battle for a spot in the rotation. His potential and development make him an intriguing prospect, but the competition is fierce.
OL Micah Banuelos: Purdue
Banuelos, a versatile offensive lineman who started five games for USC, joins a Purdue team with a depleted offensive line. With Josh Henson, a familiar face from his time at USC, now coaching at Purdue, Banuelos will compete for a starting job with newcomers Nuku Mafi and Boaz Stanley. His experience and versatility make him a strong contender.
OL Alex Payne: Virginia
Payne, a highly-recruited prospect who slid toward the bottom of the depth chart at USC, joins a Virginia team with a depleted offensive line. With seven returning players exhausting their eligibility, Payne will be a reserve this year, but his potential and development make him an intriguing prospect for the future.
OL Makai Saina: Purdue
Saina, a three-star interior offensive line prospect, joins a Purdue team with a similar situation to his own at USC. With injuries and a lack of playing time, Saina will get a fresh start in the same offensive line room as Banuelos, with the opportunity to develop and contribute in the future.
