Jesse Scroggins Transferring from USC

Backup quarterbacks Jesse Scroggins is officially transferring from USC, the school announced on Monday.

It was rumored that the redshirt sophomore would be transferring, and although some speculated it was because of his potential academic ineligibility, head coach Lane Kiffin ruled that option out.

"After meeting with Jesse Scroggins and his father recently, Jesse has decided to transfer from USC," Kiffin said.  "Jesse had a very strong spring semester in the classroom, therefore he is academically eligible to transfer at this time."

After redshirting during his first year at USC, Scroggins became the backup quarterback in 2011. He made his first (and only) appearance against Washington, taking the final snap of the game.

Besides his rumored academic issues, Scroggins also faced a physical struggle and missed the first six games of the 2011 season due to pre-season surgery on his right hand and thumb.

Recently, Scroggins was competing against redshirt freshmen Max Wittek and Cody Kessler for Matt Barkley's job in 2013, but after USC's annual Spring Game, it seemed that Scroggins was out of the running. Barkley, Kessler and Wittek were the top passers of the game, with Kessler going 3-6, throwing for one touchdown and Wittek going 3-7. 

With Scroggins gone, USC now has just three quarterbacks on scholarship: Matt Barkley, Cody Kessler and Matt Wittek.