Pitt wide receiver Jordan Addison, a consensus All-American and the reigning Fred Biletnikoff Award winner for the best receiver in college football, officially appeared in the transfer portal Tuesday.
Multiple media reports that appeared as early as last week said Addison was expected to depart Pitt for Southern California and join new coach Lincoln Riley. The Pitt football program believed that the Trojans tampered with Addison to sway him to transfer, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
The newspaper also reported, citing sources, that Addison is being offered a “multimillion-dollar” name, image and likeness deal to play for the Trojans.
Players must be in the portal for coaches at other schools to contact them, leading to some speculation among fans that Riley and USC could have tampered.
Sunday was the deadline for fall and winter athletes to enter the portal in order to remain immediately eligible to play in 2022-23. But Addison’s name only appeared Tuesday once his paperwork had gone through, ESPN reported.
Addison has not made a final decision on whether to go to USC, find another program or return to Pitt, multiple reports added.
Addison had a breakout year as a sophomore, hauling in 100 receptions for 1,593 yards and 17 touchdowns while playing with Heisman Trophy finalist Kenny Pickett as his quarterback. Addison added 56 rushing yards and one touchdown on the ground as the Panthers won their first ACC championship in football.
Pickett was the first quarterback taken in last week’s NFL draft, 20th overall to the Pittsburgh Steelers. One player competing for Pitt’s starting job in 2022 is Kedon Slovis, who transferred this offseason, ironically, from USC.