Receiver Victor Blackwell officially removed from roster

Receiver Victor Blackwell is no longer on USC’s roster, Trojans Coach Steve Sarkisian said Thursday.

Blackwell, a fourth-year junior, has been absent from practices and games since after the loss to Boston College. He was removed from the roster on Monday, Sarkisian said.

Blackwell caught three passes in the opener against Fresno State but did not play in the next two games. He was reportedly displeased with his lack of playing time.

“Haven’t seen him for a month, so we’ve moved forward there,” Sarkisian said.

Blackwell is one of several scholarship players no longer with the program since USC hired Sarkisian to replace Lane Kiffin.

Quarterback Max Wittek and tailback Ty Isaac transferred and cornerback Anthony Brown quit the team.

Sarkisian said attrition was “natural” in coaching transitions, pointing to his own experience when he replaced Tyrone Willingham at Washington and the situation at Texas, where new coach Charlie Strong has dismissed several players.

“We never like it,” Sarkisian said of losing players, adding “The reality of it is it does occur. You have to live with it and you have to keep moving forward and focus on the guys you have.”

Follow Gary Klein on Twitter @latimesklein