USC didn’t go looking for just any portal receiver this offseason. After signing six wideouts in the 2026 class, the Trojans wanted one more body in the room, and they ended up landing NC State transfer Terrell Anderson.
Anderson said USC’s pitch stood out right away.
“I feel like they was showing the most love and it's a great fit for me,” Anderson said. “I can come and help the team. I think any receiver in college football that hits the portal would want to come to USC because what Coach [Lincoln] Riley’s been doing with his offenses and the tradition that USC has.“
The fit makes sense on paper, and Anderson pointed to the quarterback situation as a big reason he chose Los Angeles. Jayden Maiava is one of the most seasoned quarterbacks in college football, with 31 career starts split between USC and UNLV.
He took a major step forward last season after taking over late in 2024, then settled in as the Trojans’ offensive leader. Maiava finished by leading the Big Ten in passing yards, and USC paced the conference in total offense.
Maiava could have jumped to the NFL Draft in April, where the quarterback class was considered weak, but he opted to return for his redshirt senior season instead. That return mattered to Anderson.
“That definitely factored into my decision,” Anderson said. “You need a quarterback that can throw the ball and make plays, extend plays with his legs, and Jayden was one of the best quarterbacks in college football last year. I think we gonna do big things this year.”
Anderson brings real production with him. Last season at NC State, he caught 39 passes for 629 yards and five touchdowns as a sophomore, giving Maiava another receiver with Power Four experience.
He’s also getting help from inside the building. Sophomore receiver Tanook Hines, who started last season as a true freshman, has been working with the newcomers even though he remains out to start fall camp.
“Tanook helped me a lot. we study plays,” Anderson said. “If I don't know something, I call him and ask him.
Make sure I'm got my splits right, running the right stuff, blocking the right man. We help each other a lot, we never try to hold secrets from each other.“
On the field, Anderson is being coached by Dennis Simmons and Chad Savage. Simmons has built a long track record of developing All-Americans, first round draft picks and a Biletnikoff Award winner over nearly two decades, while Savage handles inside receivers and tight ends.
“Coach Simmons is a great coach. He pushes you every day, pushes the whole room every day," Anderson said.
"Make sure everybody dialed in and locked into what the job is. Being a receiver, you want a coach that pushes you to be great.
Him and coach Savage, you don't want no coach that thinks it's cool to do this and that.“
There’s still competition ahead. Hines’ status for week 0 is not yet known, and Anderson will also have to battle a deep group of young receivers on the outside, including freshmen Kayden Dixon-Wyatt, Boobie Feaster and Tron Baker, along with sophomore Corey Simms.
Anderson had strong words for Feaster, who is only 17 and arrived over the summer.
“Boobie, he college ready already. He real quiet but that's my brother," Anderson said.
"Me and him, I say we got similar play styles, and we come out and compete every day. That's the main objectives, and he gonna do big things this year too.”
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