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USC Trojans still on the board in the 2025 NFL Draft

Erik-McKinneyby: Erik McKinney04/25/25ErikTMcKinney
USC defensive back Jaylin Smith participates in drills during the 2025 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium
USC defensive back Jaylin Smith participates in drills during the 2025 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. (Kirby Lee-Imagn Images)

For the first time since 2019, the first round of the NFL Draft was completed without a USC Trojan hearing their name called. That run included offensive tackle Austin Jackson, guard Alijah Vera-Tucker, wide receivers Drake London and Jordan Addison and last year’s No. 1 overall selection Caleb Williams. Which Trojans are on the clock when it comes to keeping alive USC’s streak of having at least one NFL draft pick selected every year since 1939?

Running back Woody Marks

ESPN Best Available Ranking: 140 (Projected: 36th pick of Round 5)
ESPN Best Available Running Back Ranking: 14
Running backs selected in the first round: 2

ESPN Draft Bio: “Marks is a Mississippi transfer who is quicker on tape than his average combine numbers suggest (4.54-second 40 and 35-inch vertical). He gives his blockers time to get into position, sticks his foot in the ground and accelerates through the line of scrimmage. Marks has explosive power, and he falls forward at the end of runs. He also has the hand-eye coordination to make difficult catches. In space, he shakes defenders and breaks tackles.” — Steve Muench

Center Jonah Monheim

ESPN Best Available Ranking: 211 (Projected: 27th pick of Round 7)
ESPN Best Available Center Ranking: 5
Centers selected in the first round: 0

ESPN Draft Bio: “Monheim started 18 games at right tackle, 12 games at center, 12 games at left tackle and four games at right guard. He projects as a center in the NFL. He moves well and fits best in a zone-heavy run scheme. Monheim gets into position and washes defenders down the line. He takes sound angles climbing to the second level and flashes a strong punch as a pass blocker. He works his hands inside and plays with a wide base. He moves his feet and fights to stay connected. He gets downfield on screens and is big enough to cover up defenders in space.” — Steve Muench

“He started at guard, tackle and center at USC, which is pretty dang hard to do,” coach Lincoln Riley told ESPN. “His position flexibility, he’s one of the smartest offensive lineman I’ve ever coached, just a tremendous player. Somebody’s going to get a guy who’s going to be a pro for a long time.”

Cornerback Jaylin Smith

ESPN Best Available Ranking: 235 (Projected: Undrafted)
ESPN Best Available Cornerback Ranking: 28
Cornerbacks selected in the first round: 3

ESPN Draft Bio: “Smith moved from the slot to the outside last season, and he got better as the season progressed. He improved his ability to mirror receivers’ releases as a press corner, and he runs well on a straight line. He still projects best as a sub-package slot corner and special teams contributor in the NFL. He falls off some tackles, but he is a tough and physical run defender who had 75 tackles in 2023. Smith shoots his hands and gets off blocks. He reads receivers in off-coverage, and he does a good job of limiting production after the catch. He intercepted just three passes in 41 career games, but he made an impressive one-handed interception in the Maryland game last season. He should push for early playing time on special teams.” — Steve Muench

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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