USC football sees losses and gains in offseason


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As National Signing Day quickly approaches, USC’s football program continues to experience offseason changes.

Freshman wide receiver Rahshead Johnson has elected to transfer from USC, a school official confirmed to the Orange County Register on Wednesday. USCFootball.com Senior Analyst and Recruiting Editor Gerard Martinez reported that Johnson will likely enroll at Santa Monica Community College.

Johnson was a class of 2014 four-star recruit, recognized for his ability to play both cornerback and wide receiver. In his one season with USC, Johnson was a redshirt and, therefore, never played in a game.

Though the Trojans have lost wide receivers Nelson Agholor and George Farmer to the NFL Draft, it is likely that Johnson would rarely see playing time in the upcoming seasons.  JuJu Smith, who had an impressive freshman season even as the No. 2 receiver behind Agholor, will take over Agholor’s role as the go-to receiver. Smith will be accompanied by sophomore Darreus Rogers, redshirt freshman Steven Mitchell and freshman Ajene Harris.

Coach Steve Sarkisian has added additional weapons to his arsenal of receivers. He currently has commitments from two four-star receivers in Tristan Payton and De’Quan Hampton.

Speculation surrounding Johnson’s departure from USC highlights the University of Nevada, Las Vegas as a potential home for Johnson. USC has not released an official statement regarding the transfer.

Though the Trojans will be without Johnson, former USC All-American defensive lineman Kenechi Udeze has rejoined the team as an assistant strength and conditioning coach.

Udeze was a 2003 All-American for the Trojans after recording 26 tackles for losses, including 16.5 sacks.

Udeze was selected 20th overall in the 2004 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings, but had to retire from the NFL in 2009 after being diagnosed with leukemia. Udeze worked at the University of Washington for three seasons as an assistant strength coach and interned with the Seattle Seahawks.

Udeze will not be the only  new addition to the team next season, as Sarkisian has verbal commitments from 16 players in the class of 2015. USC can sign 19 players in total and is still in the running to sign top-ranked prospects cornerback Iman Marshall, defensive lineman Rasheem Green and linebackers Porter Gustin, Osa Masina and John Houston.

Players are allowed to sign their letters of intent on Feb. 4.