Skip to main content
usc logo

USC cornerback Jaylin Smith with an interesting potential landing spot in NFL Draft

Erik-McKinneyby:Erik McKinney•about 13 hours•

ErikTMcKinney

USC cornerback Jaylin Smith goes up for an interception during a game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers
USC cornerback Jaylin Smith goes up for an interception during a game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers (acscottphotography/WeAreSC)

Without a potential first-round pick heading into this 2025 NFL Draft, part of the intrigue surrounding the Trojans involved becomes which USC player will be selected first. This week, NFL.com’s Chad Reuter published a three-round mock draft that gave his opinion on that topic.

Reuter has former USC cornerback Jaylin Smith slotted at pick No. 99 overall, the 35th pick of the third round, heading to the San Francisco 49ers.

That would be a solid landing spot for Smith, who turned in a fantastic senior season that has clearly elevated his draft stock. He finished the season with 59 tackles, including four tackles for loss, and two interceptions in 10 games. His tackle numbers were better in 2023 (75 total) while playing nickel, but he appeared to blossom when moved to the outside under secondary coach Doug Belk and defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn this season. He finished fifth on the team in tackles and tied for the team lead in interceptions.

Lynn, shortly after taking over as USC defensive coordinator, called Smith a Swiss Army knife due to his versatility in the USC secondary. Later in the year, after Smith had solidified himself at corner and a key piece of the defense, Lynn said of him:

“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).”

Smith also might have answered some questions about his speed while participating in the Reese’s Senior Bowl earlier this month. He posted the second-fastest speed number of any player in attendance during practices of the game. Smith was clocked at 21.61 miles per hour, behind only cornerback Darien Porter of Iowa State and ahead of known speedsters like wide receivers Kyle Williams of Washington State and Tez Johnson of Oregon.

You may also like

Garry Paskwietz (1966-2019)

Garry Paskwietz was a pioneer in bringing team-specific sports coverage to the internet. He founded WeAreSC in 1998 and was an Emmy winner for his work with Fox Sports West. Always generous with his time, knowledge, and compassion, he touched the lives of countless USC and high school football fans.

Garry Paskwietz