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"That's mind-boggling": Former USC QB highlights biggest loss for Lincoln Riley's Trojans squad

Lincoln Riley and the USC Trojans are already looking ahead to 2025 after a forgettable 2024 campaign. The Trojans finished the regular season with just a 6-6 record after entering the season ranked as the No. 23 team in the AP Top 25.

USC fell short of their heavy expectations this season, making the offseason paramount for Lincoln Riley. The Trojans will be massive buyers in the transfer portal as they look to bounce back next season.

On Wednesday afternoon, Colin Cowherd and former USC Heisman Trophy winner Mark Sanchez detailed the Trojans' biggest struggle over the last several seasons. Sanchez told Cowherd:

"(USC) had California locked down. The craziest part to me is like, when I'd get letters from some of these schools, I didn't know where Tuscaloosa, Alabama, was on a map. Geographically, I didn't know where Clemson and South Carolina were.
"The fact that these guys are going from Southern California to somewhere they can't even point out on a map in Alabama is mind-boggling."

Sanchez, a Southern California native, pointed out USC's recruiting struggles during Lincoln Riley's tenure. In his three seasons, Riley has landed just one top-ten recruiting class. In 2025, USC has the 13th-ranked class and has yet to land a five-star recruit.

The Trojans have lost several star players Quinten Joyner, Bear Alexander, Miller Moss and Duce Robinson to the transfer portal. Over the last week, Riley has rebounded from these losses and has the Trojans hot on the recruiting trail.

Lincoln Riley lands first transfer in 2025 portal class

Lincoln Riley and USC kicked their offseason off with a big addition, landing former UCF defensive back Chasen Johnson. Johnson committed to the Trojans over teams like Miami and Florida State.

He was ranked as the No. 126 player in the portal and the No. 18 cornerback by 247Sports. Johnson finished the 2024 season with 18 total tackles and two passes defended in seven games.

Johnson was graded as a three-star recruit in the 2024 recruiting cycle, ranked as the No. 88 cornerback in the country and the No. 124 player in Florida. He is the first player in USC's 2025 transfer portal class, but the Trojans aren't done yet.

Riley will look to add former Kentucky Wildcats defensive lineman Keeshawn Silver, who announced USC as one of his final four schools. The Trojans will compete with Florida, Michigan and Miami for Silver. He is ranked as a four-star transfer in the class and is the No. 31 portal recruit overall and the No. 4 defensive lineman, as per 247Sports.

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