Jordan Addison gives vague denial on USC tampering allegations

Jordan Addison denies any tampering allegations upon his transfer to the USC football team.

Fresh off a breakout season for the Pittsburgh Panthers, new USC football star Jordan Addison wants it to be about ball at his new university.

Addison won the Biletnikoff as the best receiver in college football a season ago. He helped Pitt win the ACC and his star quarterback Kenny Pickett become a Heisman Trophy finalist, as well as a first-round pick by the “hometown” Pittsburgh Steelers. But with Pickett turning pro and former Panthers offensive coordinator Mark Whipple leaving for Nebraska, Addison decided to transfer.

Here is what Addison told the Los Angeles Times about USC potentially tampering to land him.

"“Just some BS,”  said Addison on Thursday during his first official meeting with the local media after transferring to USC. “But I mean, the truth always going to come to light, so I just make sure I’m just going to keep working and make sure I’m ready for the season.”"

Citing the tampering rumors as nothing short of B.S., Addison said he transferred to USC for football reasons and not the glitz and glamor often associated with Hollywood and the like.

"“I wasn’t coming out here for all the lights, camera, action and all that,” continued Addison. “I just wanted to make sure they knew that I was strictly business.”"

By transferring to USC, Addison upgraded at the quarterback department with Caleb Williams now rifling him the pigskin, as well as playing for an offensive-minded head coach in Lincoln Riley.

USC football: Jordan Addison gives vague denial over tampering accusations

While his former head coach Pat Narduzzi is probably still battery-throwing mad over this, USC isn’t the only Power Five school he’s fired up over these days. Though his team will probably pull back with former USC starting quarterback Kedon Slovis taking over for Pickett for soccer girlfriend reasons, Addison does not seem to be all that worried over all that he left behind at Pitt.

Simply, anything short of a first-round draft selection in 2023 will be a massive disappointment for the reigning Biletnikoff winner. Not to say he is a lock to be a multi-time recipient of it, but he now has a better chance of pulling that off playing for the Trojans. Should Addison develop quite the rapport with Williams, his USC quarterback could be going top-five in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Ultimately, Addison did make the smart football decision this offseason to switch allegiances. He has a name and a brand, one that should continue to grow and flourish playing for a marquee football program. However, it is not like anyone outside of Los Angeles is rooting for him either. Pitt was a great, feel-good story from a year ago. Now, Addison appears to have sold out, alright.

The only way he can shut up his critics is by putting together another All-American-caliber season.

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