USC quarterback Husan Longstreet entering transfer

When Husan Longstreet arrived at USC a 12 months in the past, the expectation was the five-star freshman can be the Trojans’ future at quarterback.

But after just one season at USC, Longstreet is leaving.

The true freshman passer and former top prospect formally entered the NCAA transfer portal Thursday, throwing the Trojans’ future plans at soccer’s most important place into query. USC has just two quarterbacks at present on the roster, one being a true freshman in Jonas Williams.

There’s no doubt, however, who will stay USC’s quarterback next season. Returning starter Jayden Maiava, who led the Big Ten in passing yards last season (3,711) announced his intent last month to play another season at USC, as opposed to declaring for the NFL draft.

That left Longstreet with a selection: Spend another season on the sideline or search for alternative elsewhere.

USC coach Lincoln Riley made a plea for his younger quarterback’s endurance last month.

“For any player, especially a quarterback, I don’t know if this would be the right time to leave this place,” Riley said. “This thing is getting pretty good. And I think a lot of people recognize that, both in what we have now and what we’re bringing in, where this thing is going.”

But Longstreet’s father, Kevin, told On3 last month that his son was trying for a likelihood to contribute immediately.

“He loves USC, the team and players, but no guarantees in life and Husan is a competitor,” Kevin Longstreet told On3’s Greg Biggins. “Everyone is saying ‘sit for another year, only need one good year.’ But there’s no guarantee Lincoln is back next year, what if we struggle and a new staff comes in? Then he has to learn whole new system. He wants to play now and give himself his best shot.”

It wasn’t until late in the recruiting course of in November 2024 that USC even emerged as a critical option for the Corona Centennial High product. He spent the earlier seven months dedicated to Texas A&M, while USC already had a 2026 quarterback dedicated in Julian Lewis.

But after a delicate dance of courting both quarterbacks, USC pivoted to Longstreet and managed to flip him from the Aggies. It was one of Riley’s most vital USC recruiting victories.

“The more we got to know him, got to evaluate him, the more we got to see his mental makeup, how team-oriented he was, how serious he was about the game, we just felt like in the end, there wasn’t a better fit for us,” Riley said on signing day in December 2024. “That’s eventually why we made the decisions we made. I feel like we landed on the perfect guy for us.”

Longstreet appeared in 4 video games as a true freshman, retaining his redshirt 12 months. He’ll have 4 seasons of eligibility remaining wherever he ends up. He accomplished 13 of 15 passes for 103 yards and a landing, while speeding for another 76 yards and two scores.

“As a hometown kid, representing USC was an incredible opportunity I’ll always cherish,” Longstreet said in a assertion on social media. “I’m excited for what’s ahead and ready to embrace the next opportunity with faith, purpose and gratitude.”

With Longstreet gone, count on USC to pursue a veteran passer in the transfer portal to fill the No. 3 spot on its depth chart, comparable to how Sam Huard did last season.