USC football extended an offer to Jay’viar Suggs, a transfer defensive tackle from Grand Valley State University, on Thursday. Suggs has garnered significant attention from various schools since entering the NCAA Transfer Portal, receiving offers from numerous programs including Tulane, Temple, Houston, and many others. Hailing from Michigan, Suggs, a graduate transfer with two years of eligibility left, marks the second public transfer offer for USC this week, following Notre Dame cornerback Micah Bell.
Standing at 6-foot-4 and weighing 295 pounds, Suggs experienced a notable growth spurt during college, initially signing as an unranked 6-foot-2, 250-pound defensive lineman. In his previous season, he recorded 21 tackles, including 7.5 tackles for loss and five sacks, along with a forced fumble. Over the past two seasons, Suggs has amassed 14.5 tackles for loss and eight sacks.
The departure of projected nose tackle starter Isaiah Raikes and redshirt freshman Deijon Laffitte to the transfer portal left a significant gap in USC’s defensive tackle position. To address this need, USC is eyeing Bear Alexander as the projected starting defensive tackle, along with Vanderbilt transfer Nate Clifton, who is anticipated to play a substantial role this season at 6-foot-4 and 290 pounds. Additionally, USC is actively pursuing Michigan State defensive tackle Derrick Harmon.
Returning players like former five-star prospect Anthony Lucas and sophomore Elijah Hughes, who contributed last season, alongside potential contributors such as redshirt sophomore Devan Thompkins, true freshman Jide Abasiri, and redshirt senior Kobe Pepe, bolster USC’s defensive line. Moreover, USC anticipates the arrival of two incoming defensive tackle signees for the summer, Carlon Jones and Ratumana Bulabalavu.
USC has also secured commitments from spring transfers including Greedy Vance Jr. (Florida State), wide receiver Kyle Ford (UCLA), wide receiver Jay Fair (Auburn), and kicker Michael Lantz (Georgia Southern).
