Former USC QB Kedon Slovis transferring to Pitt, pens goodbye letter to Trojans
Kedon Slovis is headed to the ACC.
The former USC quarterback, according to multiple reports, has settled on Pittsburgh as his next home. Shortly after news broke of Slovis’ decision, a letter in The Players’ Tribune penned by Slovis went live titled: “Dear USC.”
“My freshman year was everything I could’ve hoped for,” Slovis wrote. “I came into the season ready to compete — and when I got my shot to start in the Stanford game, I knew there was no looking back. I was so proud to be the quarterback of our team, and I was proud of the season that we put together.
“And I won’t lie: I thought we would continue that success throughout my career. But football is kind of like life — you can’t control everything. Whether it’s injuries, or having to navigate a season with COVID and so many unknowns…. some things you just don’t plan for. And everything didn’t go as I planned during the rest of my time at USC. There were obstacles, for sure, and we didn’t win all the games we wanted to. But that didn’t stop me from giving all that I had to this team over these last three years. That much I promise you. None of those uncontrollables ever stopped me from working as hard as I could, or from wanting to be a leader for this team.”
Slovis was brilliant in 2019. When starter JT Daniels was lost for the year to injury, Slovis stepped in as a true freshman and captured headlines immediately. In his first start against No. 23 Stanford on Sept. 8, 2019, Slovis set a freshman record for passing yards (377) in a 45-20 win over the Cardinal. He threw for 3 scores that day, completing 28 of his 33 attempts.
Slovis went on to throw for 3,502 yards and 30 scores that season, completing 71.9% of his throws and tossing just 9 interceptions in nearly 400 attempts. Since then, though, he’s battled to remain on the field while dealing with numerous injuries. His 2021 season featured 2,152 yards with 11 touchdowns and 8 interceptions across 9 games, and his completion percentage has dropped each year since that freshman campaign.
“To everyone at USC including my coaches, teammates and the entire staff: Thank you for everything. I’m glad I was a Trojan. I’ll always be one,” Slovis wrote. “And to everyone at Pitt: I’m feeling incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be a Panther — and I can’t wait to prove myself again on this stage.”
At Pitt, he’ll have a chance to pick up the baton from Kenny Pickett. With Pickett departing for the NFL on the heels of a Heisman-caliber season, Pitt’s profile as a ball club is sky high. The Panthers will look to defend their ACC championship next season with Slovis likely at the controls.