Tuscarora High alum, USC star Jordan Addison announces his decision to enter NFL draft

Jan. 16—Jordan Addison, a dynamic wide receiver who transformed into one of the top playmakers in college football after graduating from Tuscarora High School in 2020, announced Monday he is leaving the University of Southern California a year early to enter the NFL draft.

Addison made the declaration on Instagram along with a video mash-up of highlights from his two years at the University of Pittsburgh and one at USC.

"To all my Pitt boys and my West coast men thank you for making this journey memorable forever.. See you on Sundays," he wrote.

Monday was the deadline for early entries into the draft. He has 72 hours to reconsider and return to school, according to his mother, Keisha Blackman.

"I am, of course, overjoyed," she said in a phone interview Monday night. "Just super proud of him. Just to be able to see him reach this peak after years and years and years of dreaming about it, I am just full of joy."

Addison, who is training in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in preparation for the NFL draft combine at the end of February in Indianapolis, could not be reached for comment.

A junior in college, he is projected by many to be picked high in the first round, taking this next step after a three-year college career in which there was little he didn't accomplish individually thanks to impeccable route running, speed and hands.

At Pitt, the 6-foot, 175-pounder was a freshman All-American and All-ACC honorable mention in 2020, then busted out in 2021 to win the Biletnikoff Award as the top pass-catcher in the country. In a head-turning sophomore year, he was named a first-team All-American after setting a Panthers record with 100 catches and leading the nation with 17 touchdown grabs, compiling 1,593 receiving yards.

With his Pitt quarterback, Kenny Pickett, graduating to the pros, Addison also departed the Pennsylvania school, transferring to USC amid suspicion cast by Panthers coach Pat Narduzzi that the Trojans had improperly recruited to get the star to come west in the spring.

Though no evidence ever confirmed the accusation, it made Addison the pivot point for growing discussion about how name, image and likeness deals are changing the NCAA landscape.

His mother said that he made appearances and signed memorabilia for money. But no major NIL deal ever materialized for him at USC.

At Southern California, he joined another standout quarterback, Caleb Williams, to lead coach Lincoln Riley's flashy offense.

Addison had 59 receptions for 875 yards, including four 100-yard games and a Pac-12 best eight TD grabs, despite an ankle injury that kept him out for a month in the middle of the season. That production helped Williams win the Heisman Trophy.

Addison chose to continue rehabbing his injury instead of participating in USC's Cotton Bowl loss to Tulane earlier this month. Since then, his declaration for the draft was expected.

He is receiving regular treatment on the ankle while training in Florida, according to his mother.

Last week, Addison signed with the Rubicon Talent sports management agency, which will represent him for all off-the-field marketing and business endeavors.

Next up for Addison will be the NFL combine (Feb. 27-March 6), where he'll strut his stuff for scouts and team executives at Indianapolis' Lucas Oil Stadium.

He is the third player with Frederick County roots to enter the 2023 draft, following announcements from Oakdale High grad and James Madison running back Percy Agyei-Obese and Urbana native and Clemson defensive lineman Bryan Bresee, who played high school ball at Damascus.

Addison — who spent time as an option quarterback, receiver and cornerback at Tuscarora — would be the first receiver from Frederick to be selected in the draft. The highest NFL pick in county history was running back Chuck Foreman, a Frederick High grad who was taken No. 12 by the Minnesota Vikings in 1973.

There are presently two Frederick County players on NFL rosters. Linganore graduate Rob Havenstein is the starting right tackle on the Los Angeles Rams' offensive line, and Thomas Johnson graduate Nate Hairston is a defensive back who spent most of the season on the Arizona Cardinals' practice squad.

Last Wednesday, Hairston signed a reserve/future contract with the Cardinals.

News-Post sports reporter Greg Swatek contributed to this report.