Former Pitt Panther wide receiver Jordan Addison surprised many around college football when he announced that he would transfer. His transfer destination, however, is not much of a surprise at all.
The Biletnikoff Award winner was originally rumored to be leaving Pitt for USC, thanks in large part to a “massive” NIL deal. It now turns out that Southern California is indeed Addison’s destination, which he announced on Twitter Thursday.
“The last few weeks have been very difficult,” wrote Addison. “I struggled with my decision as to whether I should exercise my right to enter the [transfer] portal. Student-athletes have not always had that opportunity and I made that choice.
“I have now carefully considered the advice of my family and close friends and fully weighed both the risks and benefits associated with my decision. I also respect that others may make a different choice. But for me, I will continue my full development as a student-athlete by enrolling at USC.”
Addison had been seen working out with Alabama quarterback Bryce Young, sparking speculation that he might transfer to play for the Tide. But the final rumors were that he was deciding between USC and Texas.
When news of Addison’s transfer possibility first broke, Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi reportedly reached out to USC coach Lincoln Riley multiple times about his suspicion of illegal discussions, per ESPN’s Pete Thamel. Since Addison was not officially in the transfer portal, no school could contact him, and doing so would be considered tampering.
That Addison ended up with the Trojans will only fuel speculation of that tampering further.
But in the meantime, there was a strong reaction from the college football world regarding Addison’s transfer and what it means for the state of the sport, NIL deals, and more. The fact that this news, presumably driven by NIL, comes on the same day as the Nick Saban-Jimbo Fisher brouhaha also seems apt.
Lincoln Riley on the phone with Jordan Addison after seeing everyone’s attention on the latest Saban interview: “NOW, do it now!!” https://t.co/JGlpo53Vk5
— Clint Lamb (@ClintRLamb) May 19, 2022