At Miami, he’ll replace Heisman Trophy finalist Cam Ward, who’s projected by USA TODAY Sports as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft after throwing for 4,313 yards, 39 touchdowns and seven interceptions in his first and only season with the Hurricanes.

Bauman, who spent his first three seasons at Tulane, is ranked as the No. 8 overall tight end available in the portal by 247Sports. The 6-5, 245-pound Bauman has caught 63 passes for 610 yards and 13 touchdowns throughout his tenure at Tulane. That includes 20 catches for 212 yards and seven touchdowns as a junior last season.

The USC Trojans have had 20 transfer portal departures. Wide receiver Zachariah Branch was one of the notable players who entered the portal. Branch is current