By Tony Thomas
The USC Trojans posted an 8-5 record in 2023, impacted by a horrific defense that ranked in the bottom 1/3 of the FBS in total defense, pass defense, rushing defense, and scoring defense. The Trojans finished the regular season on a three-game losing streak before finally landing in the win column, courtesy of a little-used quarterback who made the most of his first collegiate start by throwing six TD passes in a victory over Louisville in the Holiday Bowl.
Head Coach Lincoln Riley, true to his coaching “style,” wanted to find a talented quarterback via the transfer portal. He succeeded in that endeavor, as well as finding talent to bolster that Swiss cheese-like defense that could not stop opponents from scoring more than them. The Trojans lost by 28 to Notre Dame and 18 to arch-rival UCLA, to name a few.
However, with Riley and his staff working diligently to repel a 2024 Trojan Horse, here are three transfers that will make a positive impact for USC in the fall.
QB Jayden Maiava
Previous School: UNLV Rebels
6’4”, 227 lbs.
The 2023 Mountain West Conference Freshman of the Year, Jayden Maiava passed for 3,085 yards, 17 touchdowns, and 10 INTs while completing 64% of his passes for Barry Odom and UNLV. In addition, he added three rushing TDs on his way to earning 2nd Team All-Mountain West Conference honors.
Former UNLV Star QB Jayden Maiava is transferring to USC.
Maiava threw for 3085 yards and 17 touchdowns while rushing for 3 more
— WestCoastCFB (@WestCoastCFB) January 10, 2024
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Maiava comes to sunny California after flipping his commitment from Kirby Smart and Georgia. As the starter at the most important position on the field, Maiava won seven of the nine games last season, posted two games of over 300 yards passing, and recorded six games with multiple passing touchdowns.
Maiava will provide depth and tough competition for presumed QB1 starter Miller Moss, who made a strong case for the job after that brilliant six-touchdown performance in the Holiday Bowl victory. Both will battle for leadership of an offense that moves on without Caleb Williams, who is the presumed #1 overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft.
LB Easton Mascarenas-Arnold
Previous School: Oregon State Beavers
6’0”, 215 lbs.
A 1st Team All-PAC 12 selection a year ago, Easton Mascarenas-Arnold led the Beavers in tackles with 107. In addition, Mascarenas-Arnold added two INTs, 6.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, and three quarterback pressures. He posted five games of double-digit tackles, including season-highs of 13 tackles against both San Diego State and UCLA.
https://twitter.com/DwaneRobinson4Q/status/1736262882835214512
Easton Mascarenas-Arnold will be welcomed with open arms by the defensive coaching staff tasked with improving a defense that allowed 34 points per game in 2023.
S Kamari Ramsey
Previous School: UCLA Bruins
6’1”, 205 lbs.
A Bruin becoming a Trojan? Kamari Ramsey hops on a city bus in Westwood, suitcase in hand, and travels across town to the USC campus.
Ramsey made 40 tackles, had 2.5 tackles for loss, broke up four passes, and picked off a pass as a member of a Bruins defense that was ranked in the Top 15 in the FBS in total defense (10th), rushing defense (2nd), and scoring defense (14th). Ramsey will reunite with D’Anton Lynn, formerly the Defensive Coordinator at UCLA, who is now running the defense at USC.
https://twitter.com/DwaneRobinson4Q/status/1735755376056803730
The Trojans head into spring practice to prepare for the 2024 season, a season that will be played in a different league and with a college football expanded playoff.
This fall, USC begins play in the Big Ten Conference, a result of the conference realignment chaos and bedlam that was so prevalent last summer and caused the implosion of the PAC-12, one of college football’s oldest and respected conferences.
