Wide receiver Jordan Addison announced Thursday that he will transfer from Pitt to Southern California.
Addison, a consensus All-American and the reigning Fred Biletnikoff Award winner for the best receiver in college football, appeared in the transfer portal earlier this month.
“The last few weeks have been very difficult,” Addison wrote in a social media post. “I struggled with my decision as to whether I should exercise my right to enter the portal. Student athletes have not always had that opportunity, and I made that choice.”
Addison went on to express his love and gratitude for Pitt, his teammates and coach Pat Narduzzi.
“I love them,” he wrote. “Winning an ACC championship is ours forever. Those true friendships will last.”
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.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported in late April that the Pitt football program believed USC and new coach Lincoln Riley tampered with Addison before he entered the portal. Addison also considered Texas and Alabama before picking the Trojans.
Riley, who left Oklahoma for the USC job in November, already added 15 players to the program via the transfer portal as of April. They include former Oklahoma quarterback Caleb Williams, former Oregon running back Travis Dye and former Colorado wide receiver Brenden Rice, the son of Jerry Rice.