USC landed a massive commitment Thursday at a premium position in former Kentucky nose tackle Keeshawn Silver, according to 247Sports national reporter Matt Zenitz. Silver is 6-foot-4 and 336 pounds. He gives the Trojans a high-ceiling interior presence in its front seven the program lacked this past season. 

Former Kentucky defensive lineman Keeshawn Silver is expected to transfer to USC, @chris_hummer and I have learned for @cbssports/@247sports.

The 6-4, 335-pound former five-star recruit ranks as one of the top defensive linemen in the portal.https://t.co/10Sz3YxlzO pic.twitter.com/oodELdAoOn

— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) December 19, 2024

Silver would be the fourth transfer commitment for the Trojans along with running back Eli Sanders (New Mexico), DJ Harvey (San Jose State) and punter Joseph Johnson (Valparaiso). 

WHO ELSE WAS IN THE MIX FOR KEESHAWN SILVER?

Silver never publicly released any of his scholarship offers from the transfer portal, but his representatives revealed a top four of Florida, Miami, Michigan and USC this week. Silver reportedly visited Florida last week before flying to Southern California to visit the Trojans. Silver was seen attending USC’s Thursday practice last week. Clearly, the Trojan staff did enough to seal the deal with Silver, who was in very high demand. This is a big win.

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WHERE KEESHAWN SILVER FITS WITH USC

Silver committed to USC knowing he’ll have the opportunity to be a plug-and-play starter for the Trojans. With Nate Clifton, Gavin Meyer and Bear Alexander all departing, USC desperately needed reinforcements in the middle of its defense.

USC brings back starter Devan Thompkins, veteran Kobe Pepe and reserve second-year defensive linemen Jide Abasiri, Carlon Jones, Ratumana Bulabalavu. The Trojans also added composite five-star defensive lineman Jahkeem Stewart and three-star prospects Floyd Boucard, Cash Jacobsen and Gus Cordova from the high school ranks. USC’s defensive line group will be deep in 2025, but not very experienced, so landing Silver is significant.

Silver was a five-star prospect in the 2021 recruiting class out of Rocky Mount (N.C.). He signed with North Carolina out of high school but spent the last two years at Kentucky. He started 11 out of 12 games for the Wildcats this past season making 26 tackles with one sack. Silver started all 12 games he played in 2023 making 17 tackles.

Silver earned an 80.9 tackling grade this past season, per Pro Football Focus. That mark ranked 17th nationally among interior defensive linemen who played at least 300 snaps. Silver’s 72.4 pass-rush grade ranked No. 38 nationally among interior defensive lineman who played at least 300 snaps. The nose tackle played 313 total defensive snaps this past season. He earned an overall defense grade of 61.8.

WHERE KEESHAWN SILVER RANKS AS A RECRUIT

Silver is the No. 31 ranked prospect in the 247Sports.com transfer rankings. He’s a four-star prospect and the No. 4 ranked defensive lineman. Silver was the No. 28 ranked player nationally in the 2021 high school recruiting class.