It may be warmer out in sunny southern California, but according to a report, the grass may not be any greener.
Jordan Addison, of course, left Pitt for USC earlier this year amid lucrative name, image and likeness rumors, and according to reports, the grass isn’t any greener at USC.
Addison has reportedly been pissed in recent weeks because of unspecified broken promises not yet being followed through with, On3 national recruiting analyst Gerry Hamilton reported Friday on a Texas message board.
The decision for Pitt’s Biletnikoff Award-winner to transfer after two excellent seasons at Pitt was met with much discussion, especially since Addison was already being projected as a first round selection in the 2023 NFL Draft and had been building additional report with transfer quarterback Kedon Slovis over the winter, but the allure of NIL money in SoCal ultimately proved too much to pass up.
However, in Addison’s first media appearance following his transfer in May, he sang a tune more in line with the additional opportunity at USC.
“I was looking for a great coach and a good football opportunity,” Addison told reporters via ESPN’s Paolo Uggetti at Steve Clarkson’s quarterback retreat in late May. “I’m still figuring myself out and what I want to do and I feel like I have a great opportunity to do that where I’m at now.”
And according to Uggletti’s story, Addison said that USC showed how he’d be able to capitalize in USC’s offense with quarterback Caleb Williams — a fellow transfer, from Oklahoma.
“A lot of people think like, you won a Biletnikoff, so how much can you get better?” Addison said. “But they showed me that I got a lot of improvements to do within my game, how I need to get better and how to maximize my game.”
Hamilton’s message board reply didn’t specify exactly why Addison is unhappy with USC, whether it’s with NIL opportunities or with the USC offense, but he is at USC for the long haul now (through the end of the season, at least).
Pitt, meanwhile, still boasts one of the best wide receiving corps in the ACC. Jared Wayne and Konata Mumpfield headline a stellar inside-outside duo (in the same vein as Wayne-Addison from last season), and the rise of Jaden Bradley outside and Jaylon Barden inside will provide an additional boost. Che Nwabuko (one of the fastest high schoolers in the country) and Addison Copeland (who has been enrolled since January) are the youthful injections. And Bub Means, a transfer from Louisiana Tech, is the X-factor.
Good. Screw that guy.
Should’ve never left in the first place, hope they don’t let him come back if he’s able to.
He cant transfer again until after next season but thats a moot point as he’ll declare for the 2023 draft.
No tears from me – you made your bed, deal with it.
Great article and insights. This shows to recruits and current players why Pitt is different than most programs. Pat Narduzzi is a man of high character and his program represents who his is. Pat and his coaches and the support group take 18-19 year old kids out of high school and teaches them how to me responsible young men. You hear players speaking of the family environment and a responsibility to others. These life lessons serve them well into their futures outside of football. His program develops their skills to their fullest potential. Jordon Addison appears to be an outstanding… Read more »
Very well said.
The guy who can’t go through an interview without snapping at every reporter who has a slightly critical question is in no way “High character.”
Sounds like a him and U$C problem!
Please no more articles about Jordan Addison. He’s not a Pitt panther and PSN should focus on future and current panthers. Addison burned his bridge to Pitt.
Hard cheese!
Cry me a river JA!!! Sometimes you don’t know what you got till it’s gone!!! Good riddance…
I’m sure he won’t give that $3 million back. Snowflake.
He showed a lack of maturity and loyalty to the school who gave him a chance to win the Bilitikoff Award. While I hope nothing but the best from him, he owes Pitt, his coaches and his fans an apology.
So did Pickett last year in the Sugar Bowl. I pity the Steelers who wasted a 1st round draft pick on a 5 year college quarterback who had one good year in an offense designed strictly for him.
His leaving may have saved PITT and its fans a lot of infighting if things don’t go as we’d like them to this year. He:s learning that things don’t always work out as planned. Welcome to life.
“But they showed me that I got a lot of improvements to do within my game, how I need to get better and how to maximize my game.”
Kid wins the Biletnikoff award and was considered by many to be the best receiver in college football and he falls for that BS from USC…hey Jordan, I’ve got some prime swampland in Florida for you!
The said improvements are to his wallet and not his game per se. Loads of cash and whatever else he was promised, easily influence/sway someone his age.
Except for the part where Jordan Addison actually tweeted a response to this article calling it fake news. Man, can anyone just plop down garbage on the internet and call it journalism these days? Oh wait, they totally can.
Oh well he shouldn’t have left in the first place. Good for him lol