USC transfers look to find strategies for playing a part in spring football.

Jaden Richardson was not in need of any assurances. When attempting to transition from Division III to Division IV, the former Tufts receiver just had one goal in mind: a chance.

Following his fourth session of the spring for the Trojans, the USC receiver declared on Tuesday, “Any school that promises you stuff is never where you really want to be.”

Richardson is a member of a select group of offensive transfers that should increase the level of competitiveness inside Heritage Hall as the Trojans go into Lincoln Riley’s next stage of growth.

During his first two years, the coach at USC relied heavily on transfer classes to accelerate the team’s turnaround; nonetheless, he has expressed a desire to begin developing through high school players. Riley’s first full recruiting class at USC included some enticing prospects, but the Trojans only signed three transfers for their offensive line for the spring.

Now that they have Richardson, running back Woody Marks, and quarterback Jayden Maiava, the Trojans will attempt to combine USC’s homegrown players with veteran transfer expertise in an effort to help them advance in their careers.

Maiava is not the oldest guy in a youthful room, unlike Marks of Mississippi State and Richardson, who both possess school records from their prior destinations. Redshirt junior Miller Moss and redshirt sophomore from Nevada Las Vegas are vying to take Caleb Williams’ spot.

Looking for a chance to “compete with the best,” Maiava entered the gateway after throwing for 3,085 yards and 17 touchdowns for the Rebels the previous season. He committed to Georgia at first, but changed his mind the next day.

Riley stated that the Trojans were seeking a young guy with game experience, and the coach was aware that a quarterback scenario with plenty of options would make the offer even more alluring to a prospective transfer.

“I enjoy competing,” Maiava declared. “I enjoy going out there and pushing my teammates to reach their full potential as well as mine.”

Maiava has already played in more games than Moss, who was primarily responsible for fourth-quarter mop-up duties prior to his heroics in the Holiday Bowl. Maiava has made 11 starts for UNLV. In the spring, the transfer’s time on the pitch is already evident.

Riley observed, “He’s a poised kid.” “You can see he’s not just a wide-eyed freshman walking in there. You can tell that he has prepared himself and has played.

Richardson was already acquainted with Maiava from their time together as players at Tufts University, where the 6-foot-1 receiver set a programme record with 20 career receiving touchdowns. Richardson also played alongside his cousins, Michael, Micah, and Matthew.

The Bay Area native attracted a lot of interest from FBS programmes via the transfer portal after earning a bachelor’s degree in economics from the Division III university. It was a “no-brainer” when USC called. Born and raised in Southern California, he and his father were lifelong supporters of the school.

Richardson remarked, “I think it took me a good week to realise that this was actually real.” “Now, all you have to do is sit down and work. At the end of the day, it’s college football once you kind of get over that portion.

Leading pass catchers Tahj Washington and Brenden Rice are leaving USC for the NFL, which seems to have opened up spots in the receiving room. But there were numerous heirs to the throne before to Richardson’s arrival. Zachariah Branch, Duce Robinson, Ja’Kobi Lane, and Makai Lemon—all sophomore receivers for USC—could be on the verge of breaking out. Kyron Hudson, a redshirt junior with 28 game appearances, is the most seasoned returning receiver.

Richardson is merely attempting to choose his moments.

Since I’m older, I’m not trying to place myself on a pedestal, Richardson stated. “At the end of the day, I just need to step back, learn, and do my part.”

Marks, the top running back in receiving yards for Mississippi State, will be relied upon by USC to set the standard for a young running back group, as promising sophomores Quinten Joyner and A’Marion Peterson have combined for just 139 rushing yards in their careers. Marks may be Riley’s next running back transfer to break out; he has already had success at USC with Travis Dye, Austin Jones, and MarShawn Lloyd.

In regards to his choice to play for the Trojans, Marks stated, “Just USC, the running back position, just pretty awesome.” “MarShawn Lloyd, Reggie Bush, and other guys who came through for you, I think it’s a special place to play running back at.”