Terrell Anderson, USC’s big-time transfer portal wide receiver, is officially done for the season and will undergo surgery, according to CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz. This is absolutely brutal news for the Trojans, who were counting on Anderson to be a game-changer after bringing him in this offseason.
A Superstar Sidelined Too Soon
Anderson was a massive pickup for USC, straight out of the transfer portal, and for good reason. The dude was a four-star recruit coming out of high school and absolutely broke out as a sophomore in 2025 at NC State, racking up 39 receptions for 629 yards and five touchdowns. When he hit the portal, everyone wanted him, and 247Sports even ranked him as the No. 10 overall transfer in the nation. The Trojans signed him thinking he’d be a potential superstar, a dynamic weapon for Jayden Maiava.
But man, what a tough break. That injury bug bit Anderson hard from day one, impacting him throughout the season. He missed the season-opener against Fresno State and only played sparingly in the three games he saw action. His stat sheet? Just two receptions for 50 yards, both coming in the loss to Oregon. Outside of punt returns, that was it. Now, with him on the shelf for the rest of the year, USC’s passing game is staring down a serious challenge.
The Injury Bug Is Biting Hard
And here’s the kicker: Anderson isn’t even the only key receiver dealing with injuries for USC. It’s like the receiving room in Los Angeles has a target on its back. Freshman wideout Trent Mosley started off on fire with 255 yards and four touchdowns in just three games, but he’s been sidelined for the last two with a knee injury. Then you’ve got freshman tight end Mark Bowman, the No. 42 overall player in the 2026 signing class, also battling an injury, having missed the Washington game last week. Bowman still put up 21 catches for 204 yards and two touchdowns through four games, which just tells you the kind of talent they’re losing.
Both Mosley and Bowman are currently listed as questionable for Saturday night’s road game against Penn State. That’s a huge question mark hanging over their heads. With Anderson gone, and Mosley and Bowman less than 100 percent, the Trojans are going to need some serious grit from the rest of the crew. Zach Williams and Kayden Dixon-Wyatt, who currently lead the team in receiving, are about to get a whole lot of targets in Happy Valley. And sophomore wideout Tanook Hines? He made an exceptional touchdown catch against the Huskies last weekend, and he’s going to have to keep elevating his game if USC wants to overcome this injury nightmare.
Can the remaining pass-catchers step up big-time against Penn State on Saturday night and carry the load? They absolutely have to.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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