Terrell Anderson’s decision to leave NC State for USC adds another name to a wide receiver pipeline that has become one of Lincoln Riley’s biggest selling points in Los Angeles.
Anderson arrives as a 6-2, 200-pound pass catcher who was part of the 2024 high school recruiting class. He signed with NC State as a four-star prospect, then spent two seasons with the Wolfpack in 2024 and 2025. In 26 games, he finished with 53 catches for 787 yards and six touchdowns.
After the season, Anderson hit the transfer portal and landed at USC. He explained the move to Pete Nakos of On3 with a clear message about why the Trojans won out.
“I transferred 2,400 miles away for better opportunities…Every school in the country was showing interest. But USC was my first visit,” Anderson said.
“I think I’ve been ready to play in the Big Ten or SEC…I’ve never doubted my ability; I’m the type of person who has no problem betting on myself. USC was the right spot.”
His agent, Bryan Miller, said the USC staff made a strong impression during the visit and called their work an “outstanding job.” In the end, Miller said, the coaching staff was what sealed it.
That kind of pitch has real weight at USC because the program has made a habit of producing receivers who turn into NFL names. Makai Lemon was the Biletnikoff Award winner in 2025 and then went in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft to the Philadelphia Eagles.
And Lemon is only the latest example. Over the last decade, USC has steadily built a reputation for sending wideouts to the league, with Amon-Ra St. Brown of the Detroit Lions, Drake London of the Atlanta Falcons, Jordan Addison of the Minnesota Vikings, and Michael Pittman Jr. of the Indianapolis all drafted in the last six years.
USC still doesn’t own the “Wide Receiver U” label outright. That argument is still being fought by LSU and Ohio State, thanks to names like Ja’Marr Chase, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Justin Jefferson, and Garrett Wilson.
Even so, USC has become a place where receivers know they can get noticed, developed, and pushed toward the next level. Riley’s track record with quarterbacks and offensive talent only strengthens that appeal. He has coached Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray, and Caleb Williams, and all three won the Heisman Trophy before eventually going No. 1 overall in their NFL Drafts.
Riley is heading into his fifth season at USC in 2026. The Trojans are 35-18 under him, and they still have not reached the College Football Playoff for the first time in program history. Whether 2026 is finally the year they break through remains to be seen, but Anderson’s arrival is another sign that USC’s offensive reputation is still pulling in major talent.
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For the Trojans, that means the trip to the Coliseum now comes with even more pressure on a secondary that will have to account for Oregons depth as well as its stars. With the Ducks moving into a new era offensively after Will Steins departure to Kentucky, the one thing that has not changed is the expectation that Oregon will keep stressing defenses through the air, and USC is right near the top of the list of teams that have to sort out how to handle it. [Read more 🡒]