10 Schools That Will Target USC College Football Transfers

Now that USC's long-awaited sanctions have been announced, players with two years of eligibility or less are free to transfer to another school without having to sit out a year.

This is due to an NCAA rule that lets eligible players bypass the mandatory year in residence when their current program faces a post-season ban.

The Seattle Times, as well as several other media outlets, reported earlier today that students will not be able to transfer within the Pac-10, however, because of a conference rule that requires transfers to sit out a year.

While the NCAA has waived the national rule, the Pac-10 will not waive the conference rule mandating a year of residence for transfers. According to the Seattle Times, a Pac-10 official confirmed this ruling on Friday.

In that regard, the hunt for USC transfers took a bit of a hit, with several juniors and seniors expected to draw considerable interest from schools like UCLA, Washington and Arizona, to name a few.

But while these schools will be left out in the cold, the rest of the college football world will explore every possibility out there with the hope of improving their program.

The chances of a high number of players jumping ship are low, and when looking over the situation expectations must be tempered. But there will be a move or two that's bound to happen.

Let's take a look at the top 10 schools who'll target USC transfers, operating under the premise that the Pac-10 will be excluded from the bidding.

10. Ohio State

The Buckeyes don't have many areas of need, and likely won't get to involved in the hunt for USC transfers, but they've been involved in the recruiting of so many of the eligible players that they have to be considered as an outside option.

That alone earns them the No. 10 spot in more of a continuation of the introduction...

The issue to consider is why a player would leave USC.

It would mostly be about playing time. The chance to play in a bowl game is significant as well, but comes secondary to getting on the field for the majority of the players available.

So when you look at this list of players, keep in mind that the situation they leave for will have to be a good one for the short term; obviously, this is only a two-year deal.

Of all the players who are eligible to transfer, most of the chatter to this point as circulated around players like receivers Brice Butler, Travon Patterson, David Ausberry and Ronald Johnson, running backs C.J. Gable, Stanley Havili and Marc Tyler, cornerbacks T.J. Bryant and Shareece Wright, safety Drew McAllister, defensive tackle Jurrell Casey, offensive lineman Tyron Smith, Michael Reardon and Kristofer O'Dowd, tight end Blake Ayles, linebacker Malcolm Smith, and quarterback Mitch Mustain.

Ohio State might not be considering these players, but some of them might be considering Ohio State.

9. Nebraska

Nebraska came out of the 2009 season looking very strong, but the program still has some holes to fill that need to be addressed if the team is to continue its push up the standings.

The Cornhuskers announced on Friday that they'll be moving from the Big 12 to the Big 10, and that move could come as early as 2011.

That means some transfer players would have the chance to join Nebraska in the Big 10 for their senior years. That might not be the deciding factor, but it is certainly worth discussing.

From Nebraska's side of this, they need help at cornerback and linebacker, and there are a few possibilities out there on the transfer eligible list. Linebacker Malcolm Smith is an interesting candidate who would definitely garner interest from the Huskers.

T.J. Bryant and Shareece Wright are two USC corners that also would be good fits for Nebraska.

8. Florida State

The Seminoles, like the other teams on this list, have always been in the mix for many of the top prospects in California, though they often have missed out on signing day when it comes to the the cross-country talent.

FSU could definitely use the help of a transfer or two and should be kept in mind specifically for tight end Blake Ayles. FSU doesn't really have a reliable upperclass option at tight end, and the Noles could offer Ayles immediate playing time as a starter for a school with arguably a better signal caller.

FSU could also use help in the secondary and along their defensive line, but those needs aren't as pressing and there doesn't appear to be the same level of possible playing time.

At this point, the Seminoles have an outside shot of really getting involved, but don't be surprised if something happens.

7. Miami

The Hurricanes are in need of help on the defensive side of the ball, and present the chance for several USC potential transfers to get significant minutes over the next year or two.

Miami's secondary took a big hit at the end of last year and will need to reload with talent, or the Canes could be facing a lot of difficulties down the line.

Two players to consider are T.J. Bryant and Shareece Wright. Both are eligible to transfer and both would be staples of the secondary.

When you're this low on the list, the chances of something happening aren't very high. But never say never.

UM is a program that gets a ton of exposure, has had its hand in the California well of talent for years and has a serious need for guys like Bryant and Wright.

6. Virginia Tech

Virginia Tech in an interesting team to consider when you're discussing transfer players, but realistically they don't have a very good chance of landing any significant talent.

The Hokies roster is pretty much set, and there aren't many holes to fill. But they could use help on the offensive and defensive lines, and that's where they fit into the discussion.

Tyron Smith has a big upside after starting as a sophomore and is projected as one of the top offensive tackles for the 2012 NFL Draft. He's one of the players that has garnered speculation since the sanctions were issued, but he doesn't seem likely to move on. His situation is pretty good right now.

Centers Michael Reardon and Kristofer O’Dowd,however, are much more likely to consider transferring. Keep your eye on them.

5. Tennessee

If you ask Tennessee fans if they could have any possible transfer player from USC, a lot of them would tell you to get them Mitch Mustain.

It seems unlikely that he would transfer again after the disaster that was his Arkansas experience, but you have to think that the possibility still exists.

The Vols aren't set at quarterback and Mustain is still a very good prospect with a lot of untapped potential. If the Vols will be in play for anyone who's eligible to transfer, it seems like Mustain will be the main name being tossed around.

He's a good fit and meets a serious need.

4. Michigan

Michigan might have about as good a shot as anyone to land a USC transfer.

The Wolverines are in need of help on defense and could be in play for guys like T.J. Bryant, Drew McAllister or Shareece Wright. But if you're looking for one guy that Michigan has a legit shot of landing, Ronald Johnson is your man.

They recruited him heavily coming out of high school and were serious contenders for his services. The Wolverines could really use a receiver of his quality, and there has been a lot of speculation about whether or not he'll make a move.

With the Pac-10 out of the running for transfers, Michigan might be the biggest player for Johnson.

3. Notre Dame

Notre Dame will definitely be in the mix for transfers and there are a couple of targets in particular that should consider a move to the Irish.

Defensive tackle Jurrell Casey and offensive tackle Tyron Smith could be very useful pieces for Notre Dame that would provide an immediate impact and garner significant playing time, if not starters minutes.

The Irish have holes to plug on their lines and will struggle to find much success if they don't find solutions from transfers or their 2010 recruiting class.

The Irish have a good history of making their mark in California; they should have an advantage this time around as well.

2. Florida

Even though Florida has a ton of talent on the roster and not much room for additional talent, they do have some openings available, and an interesting candidate to transfer is USC fullback Stanley Havili.

He hasn't gotten many carries to this point in his career, and that makes him one of the prime candidates to transfer. He's a talented rusher with a lot of potential, and he could make an impact as a scatback and change-of-pace rusher for the Gators.

Florida and USC have fought over a lot of recruits over the years. There are several players on the Trojans roster that are transfer-eligible and were heavily recruited by the Gators as well.

1. LSU

LSU needs help at several positions, including running back, receiver and along the offensive line. C.J. Gable is one of the candidates most likely to transfer now that the option has presented itself.

He's a senior that's never really been given the chance to get on the field, but has the talent to make an impact if given the opportunity.

The Tigers could definitely use a running back, so they could also pursue Marc Tyler.

As far as receivers go, Brice Butler, Travon Patterson, David Ausberry, and Ronald Johnson are all available, but it's difficult to speculate which, if any, have interest in the Tigers.