USC football gains two more defensive transfers from Big Ten teams

The USC football team has picked up two defensive transfers from two different Big Ten opponents.

Penn State four-star edge rusher Zuriah Fisher and Michigan State three-star defensive lineman Alex VanSumeren each committed to the Trojans on Tuesday. Both bring experience with them.

Fisher, who was born in Western Pennsylvania, just finished up a senior year that included 19 total tackles (11 solo), two sacks, a forced fumble and a pass breakup. He had a season-high four tackles against CFP semifinalist Indiana.

He missed most of the 2022 and 2024 seasons with injuries but bounced back to record the second-most quarterback pressures out of all Nittany Lions in 2025 with 30.

VanSumeren was third out of all Michigan State players with 52 total tackles and second in solo tackles with 34. He also had 1½ sacks and a pass breakup as a starter at defensive tackle his junior season.

VanSumeren is the younger brother of current Philadelphia Eagles fullback Ben VanSumeren and missed the 2023 season due to injury.

USC continues to gain defensive players out of the transfer portal despite not having yet named a defensive coordinator to replace D’Anton Lynn, who left to take the same position at Penn State.

Other players who have committed to play for the Trojans next season include linebacker Deven Bryant and cornerback Jontez Williams.