Freshman EJ Price to Transfer From USC Football Team
True freshman offensive lineman EJ Price has left the USC football team, head coach Clay Helton confirmed Tuesday during a press conference.
The unrest around USC football in 2016 shows no signs of slowing, as news of an impending departure rocked the team following a 27-10 loss to No. 7 Stanford.
Tuesday evening, word came out that freshman offensive lineman E.J. Price is no longer a member of the Trojan squad, according to head coach Clay Helton.
He’s been homesick and will be looking to transfer to a school closer to his home in Georgia.
Rumors swirled on Monday night that Price might be on his way out after he missed practice for “personal reasons.” Despite reports of Price’s departure, a USC spokesperson told reporters that he remained a member of the team.
Now, that is no longer the case. Though Helton joked with reporters on Tuesday that internet rumors revolving an altercation between he and Price in the locker room at Stanford were untrue.
“I wouldn’t be here,” Helton said. “I would be dead.”
It’s a big loss for the Trojans, as stealing Price from out of Georgia was a major victory for Helton and his staff on Signing Day earlier this year.
SEE MORE: Superlatives For USC’s 2016 Recruiting Class
The four-star offensive line prospect was a coveted run-blocker who had been committed to Georgia and had offers from dozens of major programs.
Price was expected to be the heir-apparent to Zach Banner as USC’s right tackle of the future. As a true freshman, he has served as a third-string option at left tackle behind Chad Wheeler and Chuma Edoga.
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