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Report: USC Suffers Another Setback, Loses Former 5-star Prospect To Transfer Portal

Originally posted on Gridiron Heroics | By Ethan Stone | Last updated 12/18/23

USC lost the services of former 5-star cornerback Domani Jackson Monday afternoon. Jackson, who played 2 seasons in Southern California, is expected to enter the transfer portal after playing seni-sparingly along a struggling Trojans secondary.

That last part is perhaps the most important. Long documented were the Trojans’ woes on the defensive side of the ball despite having a Heisman Winner and future top 5 pick under center in Caleb Williams. Southern Cal finished the season 7-5 and 4th in the Pac-12 after many had the Trojans in their CFP preseason.

Jackson finished his USC stint with 32 tackles and 3 pass deflections. He totaled just 2 tackles with a pass deflection his freshman season, 2022.

The former 5-star prospect enters the transfer portal with 3 seasons of eligibility remaining.

USC Cornerback Domani Jackson is expected to enter the transfer portal, per @mzenitz pic.twitter.com/ZPmk19VogZ

— PFF College (@PFF_College) December 18, 2023

USC is losing a lot of prospective talent to the portal

USC’s past 24 hours have not been ideal, to say the least.

Fellow former 5-star prospect Malachi Nelson is moving on after this season, which is truly surprising. Nelson was expected to grab the starting spot with Caleb Williams (likely) off to the NFL Draft, but with some reports that Will Howard and they have had some mutual interest, things have shifted.

Jackson joins former 4-star prospects Raleek Brown, CB Fabian Ross and TE Jude Wolfe and of course Nelson in the portal. And those are just the players who struggled to see the field. Mario Williams, also a former 4-star prospect and a good receiving option for Caleb Williams this past season, is also in the portal.

While it’s unfortunate to lose these prospects, the Trojans are still doing some solid work in the portal. USC has added former Vanderbilt DL Nate Clifton, former Oregon State CB Akili Arnold and his brother Easton Mascarenas-Arnold.

This article first appeared on Gridiron Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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