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ESPN NFL Draft Analyst tabs USC's Ja'Kobi Lane as WR1 heading into 2025 season

Erik-McKinneyby: Erik McKinney06/22/25ErikTMcKinney
USC wide receiver Ja'Kobi Lane during a spring practice with the Trojans
USC wide receiver Ja'Kobi Lane during a spring practice with the Trojans (Erik McKinney/WeAreSC)

The USC Trojans didn’t exactly light up the NFL Draft this past spring as just three players were taken and none in the first two rounds. But wide receivers is one position USC is comfortable supplying top picks to the NFL virtually every year. And the Trojans could have another one on the way in the 2026 draft.

ESPN college football analysts and NFL Draft scouts Matt Miller and Jordan Reid put together their top five players at each position looking well ahead at the 2026 draft. Just two Trojans made the list as each analyst had 60 players named across 12 positions. But one of those was somewhat eye-catching in wide receiver Ja’Kobi Lane coming in as the No. 1 wide receiver for Reid.

Reid gave his explanation on putting Lane there as what he called the “toughest player to rank”:

“I have the 6-4, 195-pound redshirt sophomore ranked higher than everyone and will continue to reside on that island. But he is a polarizing prospect who has many scouts needing to see more. Despite 12 touchdowns last season, Lane had only 528 receiving yards and was held below 50 yards in eight of USC’s 13 games. There isn’t a true WR1 in this class yet, so, with a bit more consistency, Lane has the opportunity to rise and be the first receiver off the board.”

The disparity of Lane coming in at No. 1 for Reid and not among the top five for Miller was interesting. Lane appears poised for a gigantic junior season if he can continue the play he demonstrated to close out the season. Maturity and consistency have been question marks the first two years for Lane but all reports considering those departments this offseason have been glowing.

USC had a recent four-year streak of wide receivers selected in the first four rounds of the NFL Draft. Michael Pittman went as the second pick of the second round in 2020. Amon-Ra St. Brown went in the fourth round of the 2021 draft. And then Drake London (No. 8 overall) and Jordan Addison (No. 23 overall) went as back-to-back first-round selections in 2022 and 2023. Both Brenden Rice and Tahj Washington went in the seventh round of the 2024 draft.

The other USC player on the list was mentioned by both Miller and Reid. That’s safety Kamari Ramsey, who is Miller’s No. 3 safety and checked in at No. 2 for Reid.

There might not be much of a battle for the No. 1 spot, with Ohio State’s Caleb Downs firmly planted there heading into the season. But it feels like Ramsey is ready to put together an outstanding season for the Trojans. He had the option to leave early for last year’s NFL Draft and represented one of the big USC offseason wins when he elected to return. Last year he finished tied for third on the team in tackles and sacks, and was second in tackles for loss. He led the team with two forced fumbles and tied for the team lead with five pass breakups, all while missing two full games due to injury. With a deeper safety position this year, Ramsey could be utilized all over the field by defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn.

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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