USC senior pens heartfelt goodbye message, declares for 2022 NFL Draft

A USC Trojans senior announced on Monday that he was declaring for the 2022 NFL Draft via a heartfelt goodbye message to his Trojans teammates and fans. Offensive lineman Jalen McKenzie shared his message via his Twitter account, expressing his thanks to the USC program.

USC’s Jalen McKenzie declares for NFL draft

“To the Trojan Family thank you for accepting me with open arms. Ever since the day Mrs. Cheryl handed me my keys to open the door to my first USC apartment at Troy Hall, until the last snap I played in the Cardinal and Gold, God has brought forth countless blessings.

“At USC the gold standard is to always carry yourself as a champion, and to FIGHT ON. Which is one of the reasons why as I look back on over 2,000 snaps of ball on the field with my brothers or my countless 2,000 word essays I stayed up to finish in the John McKay Center, I wouldn’t trade any of it for the world. To my brothers, through life and all our endeavors we will always, FIGHT ON.

“The memories we share with each other through our hard work and sacrifice from Conference Championships, to sold out Coliseum night wins, Reggie Bush end-zone Daps, 4×100, etc., will never die as that 4th quarter fire burns in our hearts.

“To my Coaches, Academic Advisors and Tutors thank you for shaping me through constant education in the classroom and on the Howard Jones to help challenge me Daily to demand the best version of myself. To the Administrators Mrs. Joyce and Professor Green thank you for allowing the black student athletes voice to be heard in the creation of the United Black Student Athletes Association.

“To my Family and friends, thank you for your support throughout my collegiate career and I can’t wait to see what God has in store next. USC is a place of opportunity, a place where dreams can come true and dreams can be formed, a place of grit and growth, a place of learning and understanding.

“I will be declaring for the 2022 NFL Draft. Thank you USC for allowing me to chase my dreams. 70 out.”

McKenzie, a redshirt senior leaves USC after starting for the Trojans’ offensive line since 2019. He was named to 2020 All-Pac-12 honorable mention, as well as Phil Steele’s All-Pac-12 third team.