The Texas Longhorns secondary took a hit to its depth as freshman safety Xavion Alford announced his transfer to the USC Trojans Friday after entering the transfer portal a few days earlier.
IM H-TOWN TO CALI ... JUST LIKE ROBERT HORRY.#RentIsDue #FightOn✌ pic.twitter.com/BIZWfDSxUF
— XAVION M. ALFORD (@100YARDLANDLORD) December 25, 2020
The former four-star safety played in just four games for Texas in 2020, recording four tackles on the season. Playing primarily at the Spur position, Alford was listed No. 3 on the depth chart behind Chris Adimora and Anthony Cook ahead of the Kansas game.
Alford was recruited to Texas by former safeties coach Craig Naivar, who is currently filling the same role at USC under former Texas defensive coordinator Todd Orlando. He joins a USC defense in need of an infusion talent, offering him an early chance to compete for playing time.
The 6’0, 190-pound safety was rated as the No. 139 player overall and the No. 8 safety in the 2020 recruiting cycle while being recruited by Naivar.
With the loss of Alford, the Longhorns may look to the graduate transfer market to add safety depth next season following the departures of Alford, Caden Sterns, and Chris Brown with only one safety signee in the 2021 class. However, the cross training of junior cornerback Jalen Green has bolstered the depth at the position.