USC freshman cornerback Chris Steele rule eligible for the 2019 season

The news that USC has been waiting for has now arrived. USC freshman cornerback Chris Steele has been ruled eligible by the NCAA for the upcoming 2019 season Tuesday evening.

USC head coach Clay Helton broke the news following day four of fall camp. Steele was one of three players to transfer over to USC via the transfer portal. Freshman wide receiver Bru McCoy status is still unknown following his return to the Trojans from Texas as his waiver request is still pending. With the news, Steele is officially in play to compete with Olaijah Griffin, Isaac Taylor-Stuart, and Greg Johnson for the starting cornerback job.

Steele even reacted to the news.

Steele verbally committed to USC last July, however as the Trojans season took a downward turn he backed off that commitment. At the All-American Bowl in San Antonio, Steele committed to the Florida Gators where he would enroll early for spring camp. His time as a Gator would be short lived. Steele’s roommate Jalon Jones was accused for sexual battery which prompted for the freshman cornerback to request a change in roommates or rooms. That request would be denied which prompted Steele to enter the transfer portal. Steele made a brief commitment to Oregon before flipping it and enrolling at USC in early June.

The NCAA ruling Steele eligible doesn’t come as a shock due to the reasons for his departure. The St. John Bosco High School product can make his way into the Trojans rotation at cornerback and even become a day one starter for the Trojans at the position. USC already replacing four key players at the cornerback position with only two players returning with game experience. It is safe to say that the news of Steele eligibility is a huge one for USC.