USC adds transfer safety from Ohio State with starting experience
USC had a productive spring game in more ways than one.
To close out a weekend that featured Lincoln Riley taking the field at the LA Coliseum for the first time, USC received a transfer pledge on Sunday from a safety who started 12 games in the Big Ten last season. Bryson Shaw, according to his father, has committed to transfer from Ohio State to USC.
I wanted to let everyone know that my son Bryson has committed to the University of Southern California Trojans to continue his college football career. All the best to our extended family at OSU. pic.twitter.com/8TAYPb9PM1
— Bryn Shaw (@BrynInvent) April 24, 2022
The move reunites Shaw with USC defensive coordinator Alex Grinch. Grinch, then a co-coordinator for the Ohio State defense, recruited Shaw out of high school before leaving the Buckeyes to become the defensive coordinator at Oklahoma under Riley.
Shaw started 12 games at free safety for the Buckeyes last season. His 59 total tackles were the third-most among Ohio State defenders. Shaw also added an interception and three pass breakups. He played the third-most snaps of any Buckeye defender last season, finishing with the sixth-highest grade, per PFF.
According to Eleven Warriors, Shaw was expected to take more of a secondary role in the 2022 squad with the return of another top safety from injury. He entered the transfer portal on April 4.
He’ll join Latrell McCutchin (Oklahoma) and Mekhi Blackmon (Colorado) as defensive back transfers Grinch and Riley have added to the team since taking over. Shaw will likely compete for a starting role in a safety group that also features freshman All-American Calen Bullock, former Texas transfer Xavion Alford, and 2022 blue-chip signee Zion Branch, who is set to arrive this summer.