Linebacker Anthony Beavers Trading Bright Lights of LA for Laramie

LARAMIE -- Anthony Beavers Jr. is trading the bright lights of Hollywood for the high plains of Wyoming.

After spending the previous five years at USC, the 6-foot-1, 215-pound senior inked with the Cowboys this week. Though he spent the majority of those 45-games-played in the Trojans' secondary, the native of South Central Los Angeles will suit up at linebacker in Laramie.

He has one season of eligibility remaining.

Get our free mobile app

Beavers is the second linebacker to sign with the program during this two-week portal window, joining sophomore Karson Butts, who wrapped up his lone season at Garden City Community College with 66 tackles, including seven for loss, to go along with a sack and an interception.

Wyoming is now up to 11 known commits in this cycle. A source familiar with the process told 7220sports.com on Friday that number is actually 15, including an unnamed offensive lineman and running back.

Beavers was a hot commodity after wrapping up a prolific prep career at Narbonne High School.

The four-star prospect, who was rated the 19th-best player in the state of California in 2021, according to 247sports.com, was courted by the who's who of college football. Florida, LSU and Oregon were among his 22 FBS offers. So were Tennessee, South Carolina and Nebraska.

He chose to stay home.

Despite limited playing time during his five years on campus, Beavers remained loyal to the program. He didn't budge when there was a coaching change. He didn't flinch when he was asked to play multiple positions: nickel, both linebacker spots and safety.

Why?

"Just me being from here, you know, it just hit a little different," Beavers told reporters in spring camp. "I'm from Southern Cal. Just being able to put on for my city, here in Southern Cal, it just feels different to be able to do it for your city."

MORE UW FOOTBALL NEWS VIA 7220SPORTS:

* 2026 Wyoming Football Transfer Portal Tracker

* Cowboys Beef Up Offensive Line With Nebraska Transfer

* Wyoming Lands It's 'Coveted' QB in the Portal

* Two of Wyoming's Best Young Offensive Weapons Staying Put

* Wyoming QB Kaden Anderson to Enter Transfer Portal

* Athletics Director Confident Wyoming 'Catching Up" in NIL Game

* Wyoming's Secondary Just got Thinner; Taylor to Transfer

* Burman, UW Athletics Seeking Additional Revenue Streams

* Recruiting, Portal Misses Have Lasting Impact in Laramie

* Injured Wyoming Running Back Says He's Entering Portal

* Wyoming Inks 20 Freshmen in 2026 Recruiting Class

He capped his career with 49 total tackles, including 31 of the solo variety. He also tallied 1.5 for loss and forced and recovered a fumble.

In 2023, Beavers started the Holiday Bowl against Louisville, registering five tackles and causing a fumble in a 42-28 victory over the 15th-ranked team in the country.

Beavers, who mainly lined up at safety throughout his first four collegiate seasons, took only seven defensive snaps in 2025, forced to watch from the sideline as Desman Stephens II and Eric Gentry combined for 165 stops from the linebacker spot. He was on the field for just 11 plays on special teams, appearing on kick return and coverage, along with punt coverage.

His role has been limited between the white lines, but off the field, Beavers is a star in the classroom, already receiving his bachelor's degree in psychology with a minor in occupational science. He has also earned his graduate certificate in gerontology. He is currently working on his second master's in the same field.

That's not all.

He was named to the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award and Wuerffel Trophy Watch Lists, along with the AFCA Good Works Team. Those honors go to the college football player who shows the most integrity, leadership and community service, areas Beavers has excelled in since arriving at USC.

Last summer, Beavers spearheaded a football camp for 75 local kids through LA's Best, an after-school program and the equivalent of the Boys & Girls Club. He also worked a relief event after the devastating wildfires in Southern California and helped prepare and serve lunches to the homeless in Echo Park, among many other philanthropic ventures.

"He's part of the heartbeat of this team," USC head coach Lincoln Riley said back in June. "You think of a guy who loves USC, loves Los Angeles. He's one of the most respected players on our team for how unselfish he is, how team-first he is and how much he cares about his community."

Beavers joins a linebacker room that includes potential starters Ethan Stuhlsatz and Gary Rutherford. Wyoming's staff is also high on young players like Steven Perez, Parker Moore and Dash Bauman, among others.

Brayden Johnson and Evan Eller, the Cowboys' top-two leading tacklers last fall, respectively, exhausted their eligibility.

Spring practice in Laramie is scheduled to begin March 24. Those 15 practices culminate with the annual game April 25 inside War Memorial Stadium.