On a day when a number of players are both leaving and entering the college football universe, USC has found a way to be on both sides of the news cycle. First, Encino, Calif., safety Marvin Tell and Riverside, Calif., athlete Ykili Ross committed to USC during the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, and then junior wide receiver Nelson Agholor donated his scholarship to one of the newest Trojans by declaring for the NFL Draft.
“These past three years at USC have been a blessing, along with a lot of my life. I am very grateful to have had the coaches and staff members of this prestigious university in my life,” Agholor said in a statement. “Because of these men and women, I feel prepared to follow my dreams into the NFL. Thank you to the Trojan Family for allowing me to become one of your own.”
The only player in USC history to rank among the top eight wide receivers and top seven punt returners, the Tampa native caught 179 passes for 2,571 yards and 20 touchdowns and his four punt return touchdowns are a school record. Agholor’s 104 receptions this season rank third on the school’s all-time list.Thanks to Nelson Agholor for all he did for our program. Great player, better person. Fight on
— Pat Haden (@ADHadenUSC) January 3, 2015Agholor joins teammate Leonard Williams among Trojans declaring early for the NFL Draft. Even without its top pass catcher and defensive lineman, Steve Sarkisian‘s USC team is expected to contend for a Pac-12 South title - and beyond - in 2015.