USC has had 533 players drafted into the NFL, second all-time behind only Notre Dame. The Trojans continued their draft legacy after three members of the 2024 squad were handpicked by NFL teams, and all three made it onto their respective 53-man rosters.
Former USC linebacker Easton Mascarenas-Arnold also made an NFL roster as the Cleveland Browns’ third-string weak-side linebacker after going undrafted.
Ahead of the Trojans’ 2025 opener on Saturday, and days after NFL rosters were finalized, here’s a look at how USC’s recent draft picks are doing and where they stand on their new teams.
Daily headlines, sent straight to your inbox.
Subscribe to our newsletter to keep up with the latest at and around USC.
Jaylin Smith
Jaylin Smith was the first Trojan picked in last year’s draft, with the Houston Texans selecting him in the third round at pick No. 97.
Smith was positionally shuffled across the gridiron in his first few years as a Trojan. However, his safety-heavy junior year saw him post the best box score numbers of his career, including 58 solo tackles — the third most in the Pac-12 that year — and six tackles for loss.
He finally got some stability in his senior year when Defensive Coordinator D’Anton Lynn and Secondary Coach Doug Belk were hired and locked him in at cornerback. His positional versatility in the secondary and strong performances in his junior and senior years appealed to the Texans, whosebiggest weakness last year was their pass coverage.
On the Texans’ depth chart, Smith is the second-string right cornerback, sitting behind second-year corner Kamari Lassiter, who received Defensive Rookie of the Year votes last year.
Fellow USC alum and impact player Calen Bullock, who also received votes for Defensive ROTY, was drafted by the Texans last year. He’s good friends with Smith, having grown up with him. Bullock said it“mean[t] a lot” to see Smith get selected, according to USC Trojans onSports Illustrated.
Woody Marks
Running back Woody Marks, the second of two Trojans drafted to the Texans, was taken in the fourth round at pick No. 116 overall. He was arguably the Trojans’ top weapon, leading last year’s team in rushing yards, rushing touchdowns and yards per scrimmage.
Marks spent a full four years at Mississippi State University but was able to play an extra year due to a COVID-19 waiver. He finished his career with the Bulldogs with 214 receptions, the eighth-most in SEC history.
The Texans’ running back room is a crowded one. Former Cleveland Browns Pro Bowler Nick Chubb, who signed a one-year, $2.5 million deal with Houston earlier this year, is currently the team’s starting running back. Dameon Pierce and Dare Ogunbowale also sit ahead of Marks on the depth chart. Two-time Pro Bowler Joe Mixon is currently on the reserve/non-football injury list and will likely be back before the end of the season.
While there is no guarantee that Marks will immediately see the field due to the tough competition at RB, the Texans are likely to occasionally use him as a receiver, according toSports Illustrated. After Marks was picked, Texans Head Coach DeMeco Ryans praised the former Trojan’s hands and elusiveness, according toUSC Trojans onSports Illustrated.
Jonah Monheim
Jonah Monheim was the final Trojan taken in last year’s draft, heading to the Jacksonville Jaguars in the seventh round at pick No. 221. Monheim held multiple positions on the offensive line in his five seasons with USC.
He started 18 games at right tackle, 12 games at left tackle and four games at right guard before eventually settling down at center, where he played all 12 of the games in his redshirt senior season. As one of six seniors on last year’s offensive line, Monheim was often seen as a leader and a valuable presence, with USC football Head Coach Lincoln Riley calling the selection of Monheim “a grand slam” in aninterview with 1010XL, the Jaguars’ flagship radio station.
On the Jaguars’ depth chart, Monheim sits behind former New York Jets center Robert Hainsey, whom the Jaguars signed to a three-year, $21 million contract earlier this year. Earlier this month, the Jaguars traded veteran center Luke Fortner to the New Orleans Saints for defensive tackle Khalen Saunders, which pushes Monheim closer to playing time.
Although Monheim isn’t expecting an immediate Trojan family reunion in Jacksonville, he will be partnered on the Jaguars’ second-string offensive line with USC alum Chuma Edoga, who played for the Trojans from 2015 to 2018.