The return of USC Trojans tight end Daniel Imatorbhebhe in 2020 was going to be one of the most fun storylines of the upcoming season, but it is no longer to be.
Imatorbhebhe, who was granted a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA earlier this year, has made the decision to play out his final collegiate season elsewhere.
He released a statement to Scott Schrader of USC Scoop, who posted it on Twitter Tuesday afternoon.
#USC Tight End Daniel Imatorbhebhe has decided to enter his name in the NCAA Transfer Portal
He’ll leave with two degrees, a Rose Bowl Ring and as a Respected & Valued teammate❕@USCScoop pic.twitter.com/dvsq8jBzUd
— Scott Schrader (@Scott_Schrader) July 21, 2020
“I love this university, coaching staff and my brothers/team,” Imatorbhebhe wrote. “I am extremely grateful for all of the opportunities I’ve had at USC and want to thank everyone for all they have done over the years making my experience here special. As a kid, If you would have told me that I would not only be able to go to my dream school but that I would be a part of Rose Bowl and Pac-12 Championship winning teams while building lifelong friendships and completing my undergraduate and masters degrees at Marshall, I probably wouldn’t have believed it. The love and support I’ve received has been unmatched. I have so much love for the Trojan Family and will always bleed cardinal and gold.
“I have decided to explore my options heading into the upcoming season and will go in another direction for my final year of eligibility. I’m sad to leave but excited for the future. I will forever be a Trojan and again want to thank everyone. God bless and Fight On.”
Imatorbhebhe joined USC as a transfer from Florida. He sat out his first year, and then had an excellent campaign in 2016, hauling in 17 receptions for 250 yards and four touchdowns, doing most of his damage in an upset win over Washington.
He came into 2017 with Mackey Award buzz, but only managed to play in a few games before sitting out the rest of the season. The injury bug never left him, unfortunately, and Imatorbhebhe ended up not playing at all in 2018 or 2019, hence his sixth year waiver which allows him to play in 2020.
Where he ends up remains to be seen, but Imatorbhebhe no doubt becomes one of the more tantalizing what-if stories in recent USC history.