It’s one thing for two conference teams to watch one transfer switch to the other. That happens plenty of times, and it’s regularly notable when it happens. However, one of the more unique and potent transfer portal scenarios is when an in-conference transfer involves two championship contenders.
That’s what happened with Gary Bryant transferring from USC to Oregon.
This isn’t an Arizona-to-USC transfer, in which a player with zero championship hopes goes to a program with national title expectations. This isn’t an Oregon-to-Arizona transfer, either, in which a player in a crowded position group wants to go to a lower-pressure situation in which he can focus on his game.
Gary Bryant wants the added playing time with Oregon, but it’s not as though there’s less pressure in Eugene compared to Los Angeles. Maybe the media scrutiny isn’t as intense, but Bryant is going to a program which thinks it’s a title contender on par with USC.
Let’s dive into the dynamics of this situation a little more: