CLASS: 2022

RANKING: N/A

USC CAREER: Jensen joined the program in 2022 as a JUCO recruit, a bounce back from BYU, to serve as a depth piece behind starter Caleb Williams and Miller Moss. Jensen only two snaps in his entire career: the 2023 Holiday Bowl and the 2024 regular season finale against Notre Dame. Both snaps were runs.

2024 PFF GRADE: 60.0 overall, 59.9 rushing.

REACTION: This move makes perfect sense when you consider that Jensen has sat at the No. 3 quarterback for three years. It was only natural that Jensen ventured out to find an opportunity for more playing time. This move guarantees the Trojans will go shopping for another QB in the portal to fill out the 2025 QB room. USC is in a tough spot for the bowl with now just one scholarship QB in Jayden Maiava. 

PK DENIS LYNCH (DEC. 3RD) 

CLASS: 2021

RANKING: N/A

USC CAREER: Lynch joined the program as a walk-on out of Newbury Park High School, a soccer player that displayed a strong leg at a high school football kicking tryout. Lynch sat his first season with USC but ended up being the surprise winner of the kicking job in 2022, beating out the favorite and veteran Alex Stadhaus. Lynch was solid, going 15-of-22 and a perfect 74-of-74 on extra points. Lynch took a step back in his second season as a starter (10-of-14) in 2023 as he was more inconsistent on short-range kicks. Lynch lost his job to transfer Michael Lantz in 2024 and did not attempt a field goal in 2024. He leaves USC with a career long field goal of 53 yards.

2023 PFF GRADE: 63.6 overall, 57.7 kickoff, 74.9 field goal.

REACTION: Lynch was expected to move on after USC sought out a transfer kicker in the 2024 offseason. USC will need to find a new starting kicker for 2025 with the departure of Lantz. Lynch does not add to the scholarship pool as he was a walk-on kicker in 2024. 

OL GINO QUINONES (DEC. 3RD) 

CLASS: 2019

RANKING: Three-star; No. 1,284 nationally, No. 84 strong-side defensive end 

USC CAREER: Quinones played defensive line in high school but the USC coaches at the time projected him as an offensive lineman, making him an offensive guard and center prospect. Quinones took time to develop as he only received a limited number of snaps over his first three seasons, one year lost to a wrist injury. His best season came in 2023 as he played in 14 games and started twice at guard. Quinones was poised to be a full-time starter in 2023 but suffered a season-ending knee injury in the second game. Quinones worked hard to make it back for 2024 but wasn’t fully healthy enough to compete in fall camp for the right guard spot. Quinones provided guard and center depth this year until it was announced in the middle of the season he was done for the year. He USC career ends with three careers starts.

2024 PFF GRADE: 53.3 overall, 51.3 pass blocking, 53.5 run blocking.

REACTION: Quinones is the second interior lineman to hit the portal along with redshirt freshman Amos Talalele. Quinones’ injury history gave pause for concern as the Trojans are moving forward with a new generation of linemen to fill the depth chart. Quinones would’ve provided value next season as a potential guard or center starter if he was fully healthy. 

OL AMOS TALALELE (DEC. 2ND) 

CLASS: 2023

RANKING: Three-star; No. 467 overall, No. 38 IOL

USC CAREER: The 2024 season was expected to mark the emergence of the 6-foot-4, 340-pound Talalele. He redshirted his first season, playing just  two special teams snaps, both in USC’s 2023 Holiday Bowl win. Talalele was in a tight competition with Alani Noa for the starting right guard job for all of spring and fall but lost out in the end, losing time in camp to injury. Talalele ended up getting some rotational snaps at right guard early in the season and played on special teams. He played 102 snaps this season, 88 on offense.

2024 PFF GRADE: 57.1 overall, 29.6 pass blocking, 62.3 run blocking.

REACTION: This is somewhat surprising as Talalele was heavily recruited by offensive line coach Josh Henson out of Northern California. In addition to training at guard, Talalele was learning to play center this season and at one point was the No. 3 center on the roster due to injury. Talalele would’ve been primed to compete for a starting job at guard or potentially center, if he kept learning the position.