Zachariah Department, USC’s electrical sophomore receiver and returner, and his older brother Zion, who performs security for the Trojans, are planning to enter the switch portal, an individual conversant in the choice however not approved to talk publicly informed The Instances, changing into the most recent lauded prospects to affix the exodus from Troy.
When the 2 brothers signed to play at USC — Zion in 2022 and Zachariah in 2023 — their separate arrivals have been seen as landmark recruiting victories for Trojans coach Lincoln Riley. Zachariah Department was a top-10 recruit and the nation’s No. 1 receiver prospect. Zion was no slouch, both — a four-star security who checked in at 58th total within the 2022 class.
Now as they depart USC, the Department brothers will probably be little question two of probably the most coveted gamers within the switch portal, with each anticipated to signal with their new workforce collectively.
Their exit, whereas not fully sudden, is an particularly brutal blow to the Trojans, who’ve watched high prospects go away in droves the final two years. Zachariah, who ranked seventh within the 2023 class, is the highest-rated prospect to depart USC since Riley took over. However dropping Department continues an particularly regarding pattern for the Trojans coach.
Of the 12 top-100 recruits Riley signed by means of his first three years at USC, 9 of these gamers have since transferred. The 4 five-star prospects signed in that span — Department, cornerback Domani Jackson, wideout Duce Robinson and quarterback Malachi Nelson — have all gone elsewhere.
Zachariah Department appeared like one of the crucial dynamic weapons in all of faculty soccer as a freshman, as he flashed his blazing pace and playmaking capacity within the open area. He grew to become the primary USC participant ever named as a freshman All-American, scoring a landing as a receiver, rusher, and kick and punt returner.
The sky appeared just like the restrict for Department — and excessive expectations adopted — as Riley and USC’s employees challenged Department to change into a extra full receiver as a sophomore. However Department by no means fairly delivered on that promise in his second season. He struggled to determine himself as a vertical risk, despite his blazing pace, and by no means appeared to suit the position that Riley manufactured for him, which regularly requested him to catch passes in visitors downfield.
He nonetheless led the Trojans in receptions (47) however solely twice in 12 video games did he exceed 56 receiving yards. His dynamic returns, too, have been neutralized. After a 46-yard kickoff return in USC’s season opener, Department failed to search out a gap within the return sport the remainder of the season. By midseason, he was changed in that position that earned him All-American honors by fellow sophomore Makai Lemon. Ultimately, Lemon would supplant him because the Trojans’ No. 1 receiver,.
“I don’t play with any regrets,” Department stated late final month. “But you know, there are certain situations you can learn from. There are certain situations you can see what you did and build on that as well. I’m just trying to be better as a player.”
Over his two seasons at USC, Department tallied 78 receptions for 823 yards and three touchdowns, whereas speeding for a further 87 yards and a landing.
“What an incredible journey it’s been here at USC,” Department wrote on social media. “While this wasn’t an easy decision, I’m looking forward to what the future holds and excited for the new opportunities ahead.”
He’s the third of USC’s high 5 receivers from this season to enter the switch portal, becoming a member of Robinson and Kyron Hudson, the latter of whom has since signed with Penn State.
Final week, earlier than Department joined these ranks, Riley shrugged off issues about his receiver room. He wouldn’t remark particularly on Robinson or Hudson, however stated when it got here to retaining receivers at USC, “There ain’t much convincing.”
“This school’s history of receivers, our history of receivers, our history of throwing the ball at this school, there’s really not any better place to go play it,” Riley stated.
Now USC finds itself in dire want of a receiver — or three — within the switch portal. Tulsa switch wideout Jo Williams lately visited campus, whereas Purdue’s Jaron Tibbs is predicted to go to this weekend. USC additionally lately made a proposal to standout Idaho wideout Jordan Dwyer. However not one of the three has the five-star pedigree that Zachariah Department delivered to USC.
Zion Department, his older brother, handled season-ending accidents in every of his first two seasons at USC however performed in all 12 video games this season as a redshirt sophomore, tallying 19 tackles and three move breakups. He was anticipated to compete for a serious position in USC’s secondary subsequent season, everything of which can most likely must be changed.
Riley has already added one defensive again to that room in San Jose State nook DJ Harvey. However thus far, that was the Trojans’ solely addition within the switch portal.
USC has now seen 18 gamers enter the switch portal because it wrapped up its 6-6 season. None are prone to be as coveted because the Department brothers.
