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Where USC Trojans landed in ESPN's seven-round mock NFL Draft

Erik-McKinneyby:Erik McKinney•03/27/25•

ErikTMcKinney

USC center Jonah Monheim prepares to snap the ball for the Trojans against Utah State
USC center Jonah Monheim prepares to snap the ball for the Trojans against Utah State (acscottphotography/WeAreSC)

ESPN NFL Draft expert Matt Miller released his seven-round mock today ahead of next month’s draft in Green Bay. The USC Trojans have had a player selected in every NFL draft since 1939, which is going to continue this season. One streak that definitely won’t continue this season is a five-year streak for the Trojans with at least one first-round pick. And another streak that looks to be in real jeopardy is a 23-year run with at least one former Trojan selected in the first three rounds.

Here’s where the Trojans are slotted by Miller:

Cornerback Jaylin Smith – 5th round – No. 152 overall – Arizona Cardinals

Smith is the first Trojan taken in Miller’s draft and goes in the fifth round. That would be the latest the first USC player is selected since 1963, when just two Trojans were selected and quarterback Bill Nelson went to Pittsburgh in the 10th round.

It did not look like Smith would be a sure-thing draft pick following the 2023 season, but a move to outside corner and a tremendous senior season have him set to be drafted next month. He posted great game speed during the Senior Bowl practices but didn’t put up elite testing numbers during the draft process. But he’ll be a solid addition to an NFL roster.

Center Jonah Monheim – 6th round – No. 193 overall – Cincinnati Bengals

Monheim was USC’s best and most versatile offensive lineman during his time with the Trojans. His arm length was always going to make him an interior player in the NFL and he does seem like the type of player and person who could be targeted by a team as their center of the future and go a little earlier.

Running back Woody Marks – 6th round – No. 200 overall – Cleveland Browns

Marks wasn’t flashy at USC but he’s a do-it-all back who can be on the field for all three downs and is phenomenal out of the backfield. Running back is always a bit of a weird position in the NFL draft and his straight-line speed testing number didn’t wow. But his skill set should make him a valuable addition to an NFL team and he’ll have a chance to stick.

Having just three Trojans selected would be a drop from last season when seven USC players were taken in the 2024 NFL Draft. It would match the number that went in the 2022 draft, which came from Clay Helton’s final roster at USC. USC’s lowest number of drafted players recently came when just Austin Jackson and Michael Pittman Jr. were drafted in 2020.

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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