USC continues to reshape its roster through the transfer portal, and the latest addition brings both experience and intrigue to the tight end room. Former Wisconsin tight end Tucker Ashcraft has committed to the Trojans, adding depth and a Big Ten pedigree to a position group that’s undergoing a full makeover heading into 2026.
Ashcraft spent the last three seasons in Madison, where he totaled 22 catches for 178 yards and two touchdowns. While those numbers might not jump off the page, context matters-he was limited by injuries this past season and only appeared in four games. That shortened campaign preserves two years of eligibility, giving USC a chance to develop and utilize him over multiple seasons.
And make no mistake, USC's tight end room is in transition. Lake McRee, the team’s top contributor at the position last season, is headed to the NFL.
Walker Lyons, another key piece, has transferred to BYU. That opens the door for a new wave of talent to step in-and Ashcraft is arriving at just the right time.
He won’t be alone in the competition. USC has also landed five-star recruit Mark Bowman from the 2026 class, a player with all the tools to become a future star.
Add in top junior college transfer Josiah Jefferson, and the Trojans are clearly investing heavily in the position. Then there’s Carson Tabaracci, who started at tight end in the Alamo Bowl against TCU and brings valuable in-game experience to the mix.
Assuming no further additions, these four-Ashcraft, Bowman, Jefferson, and Tabaracci-will likely headline the battle for playing time this fall. It’s a group that blends youth, upside, and veteran savvy, and it’ll be fascinating to see how the depth chart shakes out through spring and fall camp.
There’s also a bit of narrative intrigue on the schedule: USC is set to travel to Wisconsin next season. If Ashcraft earns a role in the rotation, he could find himself lining up against his former teammates in Camp Randall Stadium. That kind of full-circle moment isn’t lost on anyone who’s followed his journey.
For USC, this move is another example of how the program is using the transfer portal to strategically fill gaps and reload-not rebuild. Ashcraft may not have been a headline-grabber at Wisconsin, but in the right system, with a fresh start and a clean bill of health, he could become a valuable piece in the Trojans’ evolving offense.