USC has landed another big-time transfer player, and this time it’s at the expense of a Pac-12 rival. Former Oregon running back Travis Dye has committed to join the Trojans and first-year coach Lincoln Riley, the school announced Friday on Twitter.
Dye has proven to be one of the most dynamic players in the Pac-12 throughout his career, rushing for 3,111 yards and 21 touchdowns in four seasons with the Ducks — including 1,271 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2021. What’s more, Dye caught 83 passes for 869 yards and eight touchdowns since the start of 2018 while breaking out as one of the top multi-purpose players in the country.
He was the No. 21 player in the 247Sports transfer portal rankings, and the third-ranked running back behind Jahmyr Gibbs (Georgia Tech to Alabama) and Zach Evans (TCU to Ole Miss).
Dye entered the transfer portal on Jan. 14, four days after first-year Oregon coach Dan Lanning finished up his time as the defensive coordinator at Georgia with a national championship win over Alabama. He will join a USC program led by Riley that has been a force on the recruiting trail and in the transfer portal this offseason.
What are the key takeaways from the news that Dye will be a Trojan?
USC might be the preseason Pac-12 favorite
USC can win the Pac-12 next season. In fact, it probably should win the conference with the number of immediate impact transfer players coming in, Dye included.
The Trojans had a hole at running back following Keaontay Ingram’s departure to the NFL. He accounted for 52% of the Trojans rushing production last year, and Riley needs a reliable back to shoulder the load. Dye has proven that he can be that guy.
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