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USC tight end Kade Eldridge to enter NCAA transfer portal

Erik-McKinneyby: Erik McKinney12/08/24ErikTMcKinney
USC tight end Kade Eldridge catches a pass during a drill at a fall camp practice with the Trojans
USC tight end Kade Eldridge catches a pass during a drill at a fall camp practice with the Trojans (Erik McKinney/WeAreSC)

USC tight end Kade Eldridge announced Sunday that he will enter the NCAA transfer portal when it opens this week.

The 6-foot-4, 250-pound tight end finished his redshirt sophomore season with three receptions for 19 yards. But Eldridge did not record a catch over the final eight game of the season and saw his snaps decrease as true freshman Walker Lyons took on more of a role in the offense.

“Over the last two years, not only have I grown as a football player, but I’ve also evolved as a person, and that is something I will carry with me for the rest of my life,” Eldridge posted to social media. “With sincere gratitude for all of the experiences and memories, I have decided to enter the transfer portal with three years of eligibility remaining.”

PFF credits Eldridge with 234 snaps on offense in 2024. He took at least 30 in every game against Utah State, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Penn State. But he didn’t see more than 12 snaps on offense in any game the rest of the season.

USC will have another question at the top of the depth chart in veteran tight end Lake McRee. He has another year of eligibility but participated in USC’s senior day activities before the game against Notre Dame.

The youth at the tight end position for the Trojans is very promising. Lyons looks like the next big thing at tight end for USC, while Joey Olsen and Walter Matthews were bit signings in the 2024 class. USC will also add Nela Tupou to the group after signing him in the class of 2025.

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Garry Paskwietz (1966-2019)

Garry Paskwietz was a pioneer in bringing team-specific sports coverage to the internet. He founded WeAreSC in 1998 and was an Emmy winner for his work with Fox Sports West. Always generous with his time, knowledge, and compassion, he touched the lives of countless USC and high school football fans.

Garry Paskwietz