Zachariah Department, USC’s electrical sophomore receiver and returner, and his older brother Zion, who performs security for the Trojans, are planning to enter the switch portal, an individual accustomed to the choice however not licensed to talk publicly informed The Occasions, turning into the newest lauded prospects to hitch the exodus out of Troy.
When the 2 brothers signed to play at USC — Zion in 2022 and Zachariah in 2023 — their separate arrivals had been seen as landmark recruiting victories for Trojan coach Lincoln Riley. Zachariah Department was a top-10 recruit and the nation’s No. 1 receiver prospect. Zion was no slouch, both — a four-star security who checked in at 58th general within the 2022 class.
Now as they depart USC, the Department brothers might be little question two of essentially the most coveted gamers within the switch portal, with each anticipated to signal with their new crew collectively.
Their exit, whereas not totally surprising, is an particularly brutal blow to the Trojans, who’ve watched prime prospects go away in droves the previous two years. Zachariah, who ranked seventh within the 2023 class, is the highest-rated prospect to depart USC since Riley took over. However dropping Department continues an particularly regarding pattern for the Trojans coach.
Of the 12 top-100 recruits Riley signed by means of his first three years at USC, 9 of these gamers have since transferred. The 4 five-star prospects signed in that span — Department, cornerback Domani Jackson, wideout Duce Robinson and quarterback Malachi Nelson — have all left this system and gone elsewhere.
Zachariah Department seemed like one of the crucial dynamic weapons in all of school soccer as a freshman, as he flashed his blazing pace and playmaking capability within the open area. He turned the primary USC participant ever named as a freshman All-American, scoring a landing as a receiver, rusher, kick and punt returner.
The sky appeared just like the restrict for Department — and excessive expectations adopted — as Riley and USC’s workers challenged Department to grow to be a extra full receiver as a sophomore. However Department by no means fairly delivered on that promise in his second season. He nonetheless led the Trojans in receptions (47), however was supplanted because the Trojans prime receiver by fellow sophomore Makai Lemon late within the season.
Over his two seasons at USC, Department tallied 78 receptions for 823 yards and three touchdowns, whereas dashing for one more 87 yards and a landing.
“What an incredible journey it’s been here at USC,” Department wrote on social media. “While this wasn’t an easy decision, I’m looking forward to what the future holds and excited for the new opportunities ahead.”
He’s the third of USC’s prime 5 receivers from this season to enter the switch portal, becoming a member of Duce Robinson and Kyron Hudson, the latter of which has since signed with Penn State.
Zion Department, his older brother, handled season-ending accidents in every of his first two seasons at USC, however performed in all 12 video games this season as a redshirt sophomore, tallying 19 tackles and three cross breakups. He was anticipated to compete for a significant position in USC’s secondary subsequent season, everything of which is able to seemingly must be changed.
USC has now seen 18 gamers enter the switch portal because it wrapped up its 6-6 season. None are more likely to be as coveted because the Department brothers.
