TROJANS BURSTING: TRANSFERS CONTINUE

The Trojan Empire continues to crumble. Redshirt freshman safety Byron Moore is leaving just a few days after defensive end Malik Jackson decided to transfer to Tennessee...

Citing similar reasons to that of another USC deserter, Malik Jackson, Byron Moore has decided that his future is better served at an institution other than the University of Southern California.

Moore, a redshirt freshman defensive back out of Narbonne High School, had been in the mix for one of the starting safety positions vacated by former stalwarts Taylor Mays and Will Harris.

Unfortunately, the Trojans will have to look to other players to fill the void after Moore's father, Byron Moore, Sr., confirmed that his son would be seeking “a fresh start” elsewhere.

While many believed the decision to leave had more to do with the sanctions handed down by the NCAA, Moore's father reiterated that the move was not about the hot water in which the USC football program has found itself.

The news of Moore's departure comes just a few days after defensive lineman, Malik Jackson, citing a need for increased playing time as his reasoning, announced that he would be transferring and would become a member of coach Lane Kiffin's former team, the Tennessee Volunteers.

Rumors are also flying around the airwaves and message boards that Mitch Mustain could be transferring to Tennessee. He would be eligible to start right away in Knoxville (remember he was 8-0 as a freshman at Arkansas) because all junior and senior transfers from USC have instant eligibility because of the NCAA sanctions. D.J. Shoemate, a 5 star high school talent who now plays fullback at SC, is rumored to be transferring to UCONN. Why I don't know.

With the loss of Seantrel Henderson and all of these other players it will be difficult for USC to punish teams in the second half due to attrition. They still have a ton of elite talent but as the season progresses the lack of depth is going to kill them especially with the inevitable injuries that occur in the fall. Mustain would be a devastating loss because he is Matt Barkley's backup whom is coming off an injury himself and appears to be one hit away from turning into John David Booty. Keeping Mustain is a must for the Trojans. Expect a new house rent free for the Mustain family.