Earl Barquet Jr. Enters the Transfer Portal
USC grabbed the best available defensive lineman in the transfer portal in Bear Alexander earlier this week. And now the Trojans will lose a bit of depth along that defensive line as Earl Barquet Jr. entered the transfer portal on Wednesday evening, according to On3’s Matt Zenitz.
The 6-foot-2, 275-pound Barquet was an intriguing addition for USC out of the transfer portal last offseason. USC was desperate for help along the defensive line and Barquet had flashed some ability in three years at TCU.
But Barquet couldn’t quite push his way into the regular rotation for the Trojans in 2022. He played against Fresno State, Oregon State, Arizona State and Colorado but did not record a tackle.
He’ll still have two years of eligibility remaining as he looks for another school to finish his career.
USC’s Defensive Line Overhaul
Head coach Lincoln Riley and defensive coordinator Alex Grinch did what they could to add help to the defensive front shortly after arriving at USC. The Trojans went into the transfer portal and landed Barquet and Tyrone Taleni as defensive linemen. Defensive end/rush end Solomon Byrd and rush end Romello Height also arrived.
This offseason, the Trojans have hit the defensive front line even harder.
Jack Sullivan, Kyon Barrs, Anthony Lucas and Alexander give the Trojans four players capable of becoming starters and difference-makers up front. And Jamil Muhammad adds depth and another potential starter at rush end.
It’ll be interesting to watch the USC defensive line in the coming days or weeks. Movement might not be done there.
Kobe Pepe remains in the transfer portal. He entered back in December and stayed in while participating in spring ball with the Trojans. Colin Mobley entered the portal at one point but removed his name shortly after. It’ll be interesting to see what happens if other potential USC targets enter the portal before the April 30 deadline (or graduate transfers at any time after that). It’s clear the USC coaches aren’t going to get caught short on talent or depth up front this season.
