Terrell Anderson didn’t leave North Carolina State carrying baggage, and he’s not interested in pretending otherwise.
The USC wide receiver addressed his transfer head-on during the Aug. 3 USC Media Day, explaining that his move from Raleigh to Los Angeles was about what came next for him, not about burning bridges on the way out. Anderson was clear that there’s no bad blood with Dave Doeren or the Wolfpack.
"He's a really good coach. We're still cool to this day," Anderson told USC Trojans on SI.
"I just had to make a move that was right for me and my future. But I have nothing bad to say about coach Dave."
That same tone carried over when he talked about the people he left behind at NC State. For Anderson, the transfer portal was a change of scenery, not a breakup.
Now he’s settled into a USC receiver room that’s leaning on him for more than just speed. Anderson is entering the season as the Big Ten’s No. 9 overall transfer per On3 college football insider Ari Wasserman, who noted on July 14, "Everyone at USC is raving about him, which probably means something."
That buzz makes sense given what USC believes it’s getting. Anderson is expected to give Lincoln Riley a deep threat as the Trojans move on from Makai Lemon and Ja'Kobi Lane, who are off to the NFL with the Philadelphia Eagles and Baltimore Ravens, respectively. But his value goes beyond stretching the field.
He also brings special teams experience, having handled kickoffs and punts before. That part of his game caught the attention of inside wide receivers coach Chad Savage.
"He's an experienced player and adds value to the special teams game. He's a return guy who can help.
But he's got opportunities to stretch the field and help you in the quick game," Savage told USC Trojans on SI. "He's a good blocker on the perimeter too.
He's got some good traits."
Savage and wide receivers coach Dennis Simmons have both helped Anderson settle in, and the trust has already gone both ways.
"I trust them and they showed me they can trust me," Anderson said.
He’s also getting challenged every day by Jontez Williams, the former Iowa State cornerback now battling him in practice. Anderson says that competition is exactly what he wants.
"Iron sharpens iron everywhere," Anderson said. "You've got good defensive backs and receivers earning reps in the open field. They're going to push you to be better and they're helping me thrive in a good way."
Anderson has found his place in the USC brotherhood, but he’s also focused on the standard that comes with it.
"We're trying to uphold the standard of being great and pushing one another," Anderson said.
Anderson first put on his USC game-day uniform in August, and the next time he’ll wear it will be Aug. 29 against San Jose State in Los Angeles.
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NC States Top Returning Scorer Is Suddenly In The Draft Conversation
North Carolina States backcourt could have a bigger spotlight than expected next season, and one name in particular is starting to draw some early pro attention. The conversation around underrated 2027 NBA Draft prospects has begun to include NC States top returning scorer, a player whose recent production and overall profile are putting him on scouts radar as he heads into his junior year.
For the Wolfpack, that matters because a strong season from McNeil would not only help stabilize the offense, it could also turn him into one of the ACCs more intriguing rising prospects. He is part of a small group that also includes Cofie and Thiam, all of whom are viewed as players whose draft stock could move fast if their junior seasons match the physical tools and flashes they have already shown. [Read more 🡒]