Trending
    SUBSCRIBE FOR UPDATES
    College Football

    USC Trojans: 8 Notable Southern Cal Players at NFL Combine

    Victor HaltomBy Updated:No Comments7 Mins Read
    USC Trojans Football - Logo

    Eight USC Trojans were at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis. Here’s a list of the eight:

    1. Caleb Williams
    2. Brenden Rice
    3. Tahj Washington
    4. MarShawn Lloyd
    5. Jarrett Kingston
    6. Calen Bullock
    7. Solomon Byrd
    8. Christian Roland-Wallace

    Pin by ➸ 𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐡˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ on m i s c e l ⋆.ೃ࿔* | Usc trojans football, Usc, Usc trojans

    These eight Trojan standouts look to join the ranks of the 500+ USC players who have competed in the NFL. (USC is one of only two college football programs to have over 500 of its players enter the NFL.)

    Up-Close Look at the Eight USC Trojans Who Were in the NFL Combine in Indianapolis

    Presented below are brief summaries of football facts concerning each of the eight USC Trojans who went to the 2024 NFL Combine. All eight are projected to be selected by teams in the 2024 NFL Draft!

    1. Caleb Williams (Quarterback)

    What’s left to say that hasn’t already been said about the consensus No. 1 prospect in the 2024 NFL Draft?

    USC Trojans | Caleb Williams, with Head Coach Lincoln Riley, Accepting the 2022 Heisman Trophy
    USC Trojans | Caleb Williams, with Head Coach Lincoln Riley, Accepting the 2022 Heisman Trophy

    2. Brenden Rice (Wide Receiver)

    The son of legendary WR Jerry Rice, Brenden Rice decided to forego his final year of eligibility at USC and enter the 2024 NFL Draft.

    Rice had the seventh most TD receptions in the country in the 2023 season, and he was second-team All-Pac 12. He was a favorite of Trojans fans.

    At the draft combine in Indianapolis, Rice posed with Trojan teammates Caleb Williams and Tahj Washington:

    Rice has been projected as a potential third- or fourth-round draft pick. Ironically, in a mock draft conducted by The Athletic, Rice goes in the third-round to his Dad’s old team, the San Francisco 49ers.

    3. Tahj Washington (Wide Receiver)

    Speedy Tahj Washington had over 1,000 receiving yards in the 2023 season. He finished the season with 59 receptions, eight touchdowns, and he averaged 18 yards per catch.

    Washington has run the 40-yeard dash in 4.32 seconds.

    Likely 2024 QB1 Miller Moss speaks glowingly about Washington:

    “Tahj is just the man. There’s so many things that you don’t see that he does, whether it’s on special teams, whether it’s blocking on the perimeter. It’s no surprise to see that he shines in the way that he does.”

    Washington has been projected as a seventh-round pick.

    4. MarShawn Lloyd (Running Back)

    MarShawn Lloyd was a four-star recruit out of high school in Maryland. He played two seasons for the South Carolina Gamecocks before transferring to USC for the 2023 season.

    In two years at South Carolina, Lloyd gained 1,021 total yards and scored 12 touchdowns.

    “Lloyd is a refreshing blend of both … finesse … and physical[ity].”

    During the 2023 season at USC, Lloyd rushed for 820 yards. He also had 232 receiving yards. Thus, he gained a total of 1,052 yards.

    Mel Kiper, Jr. rates Lloyd as the fifth best running back available in the 2024 NFL Draft.

    NFL.com’s Draft Analyst Chad Reuter put together a three-round mock draft for all teams. In that mock draft, Lloyd is selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the third round, with over all pick number 102. Lloyd is rated the 89th best overall prospect in the draft by the NFL Mock Draft Data Base.

    5. Jarrett Kingston (Offensive Line)

    Jarrett Kingston is 6’4″ and weighs 306 lbs. Out of high school, he was rated a 3-star prospect by 247Sports.

    Kingston began his collegiate career at Washington State. In 2022, he was named honorable mention All-Pac 12. He transferred to USC for the 2023 season.

    NFL Draft Buzz summarized Kingston’s 2023 season:

    “[A]s a fifth year senior[,] Kingston saw action in 11 games and played a total of 668 snaps for the Trojans. He allowed 12 QB hurries, one QB hit, and 4 sacks while playing the majority of his snaps at right guard, and the rest at tight tackle.

    Kingston has been projected as a seventh-round draft pick.

    6. Calen Bullock (Safety)

    Calen Bullock was a four-star recruit out of high school. In his career at USC, he was twice named first-team All-Pac 12, and once named first-team All-American.

    Bleacher Report offers the following overall assessment of Bullock:

    “USC safety Calen Bullock has excellent size and a sturdy frame. The 4-star prospect started six games his freshman year and has been an every-game starter since. A versatile defender, Bullock flashes in both the run and pass game.

    “Bullock does a great job of first identifying the run and then triggering downhill to make the play. A high-IQ player, he rarely gets confused by the eye candy of motions or pulls. When he identifies the ball-carrier, he quickly closes ground with great leverage while fighting through blockers and other traffic.

    “When he gets to the ball-carrier, Bullock is typically at full speed and comes with ill intent. He often delivers big hits to unsuspecting ball-carriers….

    “In pass coverage, Bullock excels as a deep high defender and in man coverage. He has the burst and speed to cover a lot of ground, making it difficult for quarterbacks to fit passes in on the sideline. He has the ball skills to track and high-point passes.”

    Mel Kiper, Jr. rates Bullock as the fifth best safety available in the 2024 NFL Draft. “Bullock is one of the tallest safeties in th[e] [draft] class at 6-foot-3.”

    USC Trojans safety Calen Bullock
    USC Trojans Safety Calen Bullock Soars to Grab Interception

    Bullock is forecast to be a mid to late second-round selection.

    7. Solomon Byrd (Defensive End)

    Byrd began his college career with the Wyoming Cowboys. He transferred to USC for the 2023 season. He chalked up six sacks on the season.

    As reported by LAFB Network, Byrd has significant upside potential:

    “Demonstrating play strength in his upper body, Byrd exhibits the ability to effectively engage with opposing blockers. Furthermore, he showcases versatility in his pass-rushing technique, employing a diverse array of moves to disrupt quarterbacks at the top of their drop, making him a multifaceted threat on defense.

    “Additionally, his proficiency in generating strip sacks highlights his knack for capitalizing on opportunities within the pocket, showcasing both focus and skill in creating turnovers.

    “Byrd displays impressive lower-body strength and flexibility, enabling him to maneuver around edge blocks with agility and precision. This combination of power and bend allows him to effectively penetrate opposing offensive lines and apply pressure on the quarterback. Additionally, his capability to strike and overpower in-line tight ends at the point of attack underscores his prowess as a versatile defender capable of impacting both the passing and running game aspects of the game.”

    Byrd has been projected as a seventh-round draft pick.

    8. Christian Roland-Wallace (Cornerback)

    Christian Roland-Wallace transferred from Arizona to USC for the 2023 season. “He was a stalwart in USC’s secondary emerging as the team’s top cornerback.”

    LAFB Network reports:

    “Following a transfer to USC for his fifth-year senior season in 2023, Roland-Wallace maintained his strong presence in the secondary, notching 36 tackles, 8 assists, and 8 pass breakups, along with 2 interceptions, while impressively surrendering a QB rating of 52.7 when targeted.”

    Roland-Wallace accepted an invitation to play in the 2023 East-West Shrine Bowl.

    According to some analysts, Roland-Wallace is likely to be selected on the third day of the draft. Others project he will be an undrafted free agent.

    Get the latest Pro and College Football news, analysis, and breaking stories on the NFL, NCAA, Fantasy Football, and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News, so you never miss a story from the football field.

    Share.
    Avatar of Victor Haltom

    Victor is an experienced researcher and sports writer. He is a graduate of Penn State University, where he transferred after beginning his undergraduate studies at SMU in Dallas.

    Leave A Reply