USC Freshman DT Enters Portal

Submitted by BleedinBlue on May 27th, 2021 at 1:23 PM

https://usc.rivals.com/news/usc-freshman-dt-jay-toia-enters-transfer-portal

6'3 325lbs - Probably staying on the West Coast but would love if he came here. Looks like a potential gift from the portal Gods.

mGrowOld

May 27th, 2021 at 1:42 PM ^

Does it matter though?

I mean we arent paying for 5 star talent here (or if we are we arent paying them enough) and our admissions department has made it pretty clear they're not interested in relaxing standards to allow entry to players that the football factories like OSU & Alabama welcome with open arms.

I've gotten to the point now where with any recruit commitment or transfer announcement I immediately assume the player is:

1. Somewhere between pretty good and good

2. Probably fairly smart

3. Hasnt had any off the field issues to speak of

And to be clear there is absolutely NOTHING wrong with a player like that.  It's just when you put 22 of them on the field and play Ohio State the results are somewhat less than satisfying.

Hail to the Vi…

May 27th, 2021 at 2:48 PM ^

You may be right here, but as I understand it the issues related to credit transfers is whether or not Michigan offers a similar class/program and would the admissions department classify the course in the same ilk as Michigan's. It does offer slight hope, one could assume, that USC as an institution could offer similar quality of course work that U of M does. 

Now with all that said, it's not even known if the kid has the slightest bit of interest in Michigan, but it seems more likely Michigan could get his USC credits to transfer than say, Auburn or Iowa State.

ERdocLSA2004

May 27th, 2021 at 3:27 PM ^

You’re content to blame the players we get and their overall lack of elite talent. I’d much rather blame the coaching and lack of player development they have been receiving.  It’s hard to watch an M football game over the last couple of years and come away with the feeling that they are getting competent coaching.  I have nothing but respect for our players.

Fezzik

May 28th, 2021 at 12:39 AM ^

I hate this take. If you believe that then why don't we always play them with our A+ game and with equal or greater intensity? Are they coached to give 90% effort against non-Wolverine teams? 110% effort against playoff teams?

Truth is we don't only get their A+ game every single time. It's a coping mechanism reaction to deal with the annual loss. We even played them close with John O'Korn starting at QB. That is impossible against them if they were playing their best. 

the Glove

May 27th, 2021 at 2:18 PM ^

Based on ESPN's article on tampering he's more than likely already been in contact with people before his name ever got in the portal.  

Double-D

May 27th, 2021 at 3:11 PM ^

Here is a super talented kid at great school that is thin at his position.  He has a legitimate line of site for playing time.

The portal world is so strange. It would be wise for programs to be focused on it.

It’s about the kids I suppose but dang it’s got to be disruptive to a program and the added pressure to recruit and cater to your roster while trying to win games. 

East Quad

May 27th, 2021 at 4:47 PM ^

With his status as a freshman, the credit transfer issue may not be as important as if he was a red-shirt junior or senior.  I think the distance from home is a larger issue.

Shaun Nua might have a Polynesian chance.

DHughes5218

May 27th, 2021 at 11:32 PM ^

Michigan should at least have a shot since they were one of his final schools. I did read that his primary recruiter at USC jumped ship and coaches at UCLA now. With no inside information, I would guess that UCLA is the presumptive favorite to land him, but maybe not. Can transfer portal guys take school paid official visits?

boschemblogger

May 28th, 2021 at 8:46 AM ^

It's amazing how college football has changed with this portal.  Crazy.  Any kid can be tampered with even though he may be settled in as a starter.  Wait until they're approved to unionize and hold out for more money. ;)