USC cornerback Jaylin Smith accepts Senior Bowl invitation
USC cornerback Jaylin Smith has been invited to and will participate in the 2025 Senior Bowl following this season.
The 5-foot-11, 190-pound cornerback is one of the game’s early announced participants and is very much deserving of the spotlight that comes with playing in a marquee college all-star game. Despite missing two games due to injury, Smith ranks No. 3 among USC defenders in total tackles and solo stops this season. He’s tied for the team lead with two interceptions and tied for fourth on the team in tackles for loss.
After playing nickel for his entire career with the Trojans, Smith worked at all five secondary positions early on under coordinator D’Anton Lynn and defensive back coach Doug Belk before landing a starting role at cornerback. He’s USC highest-graded defensive player by PFF among Trojans who have taken at least 150 snaps this year. Smith is yet to give up a touchdown pass this year and he’s allowing just 6.1 yards per attempt as opponents have completed just 19-of-35 passes thrown his way.
USC’s defense has improved dramatically in the first year under Lynn and Smith’s play is one of the big reasons as to why that’s happened.
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“Toughness,” Lynn said of what Smith brings to the field for the USC defense. “He’s super competitive. Even if a ball is caught on him, he’s always right there. He tackles well. He can blitz. He does just about everything and just having him out there, I think there’s an extra edge to our defense that we don’t have (without him).”
Last year, former USC running back MarShawn Lloyd and wide receiver Brenden Rice participated in the Senior Bowl, held in Mobile, Alabama. The next edition of the game will take place on Saturday, February 1, 2005 at 11:30 am PT.
