Jordan Addison felt like his name was dragged through the mud a bit this offseason. And he hasn’t spoken with anyone on Pitt’s coaching staff since leaving the program.

The star USC wide receiver met with local reporters on Thursday as a part of USC’s local media day to kick off fall camp. Addison touched on a number of topics, including his transfer from Pitt to Southern California.

It was a move that sent shockwaves through the sport and prompted a number of folks to report that NIL compensation played an integral role in the decision to leave Pittsburgh. Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi reportedly called Lincoln Riley to accuse the Trojans of tampering. Narduzzi then spent the summer months taking indirect shots at Addison and USC.

At Pac-12 Media Day this past weekend, Riley and quarterback Caleb Williams defended Addison, saying he was solely motivated by football.

“Despite all the negative things that were put out magically by somebody, he’s a kid that’s all about ball,” Riley said. “All he wanted to do in his entire official visit was talk ball. We literally missed like several of the meals, entertainment we had scheduled so we could watch more film and talk more ball. That’s all he’s about. 

“I think he’s really been misrepresented throughout this whole thing. Hopefully as this year goes on people get to see the quality of young man that he is.”

And, on Thursday, he had the chance to speak for himself.

Addison took the high road. Here’s what he said: