USC football might still have one game left to play in 2024, but the Trojans have already begun getting ready for 2025. On Thursday, USC landed its first transfer portal commitment of the offseason, former UCF cornerback Chasen Johnson.
As a true freshman at UCF in 2024, Johnson was able to find his way into the starting lineup by the end of the season. However, when head coach Gus Malzahn bolted from the program to take the offensive coordinator job at Florida State, Johnson wanted to change locations himself. On the year, he recorded 18 tackles and two passes defended for the Knights.
It is a much needed addition for a USC secondary that will lose the vast majority of its production from this season. Top cornerbacks Greedy Vance Jr., Jaylin Smith, Jacobe Covington, DeCarlos Nicholson, and John Humphrey are all out of eligibility, as is starting safety Akili Arnold.
Johnson is USC’s first transfer pickup of the 2025 cycle. With more than a dozen Trojans having already entered the portal, he figures to be the first of many additions as Lincoln Riley and his staff look to rebuild the roster.