University Southern California Trojans
#USCtotheNFL Draft Preview
April 26, 2018 | Football, USC Ripsit Blog, Features
The 2018 NFL Draft begins tonight, and many Trojans are hoping to join the unrivaled USC to the NFL fraternity.
QB Sam Darnold, who won a Rose Bowl and a Pac-12 Championship in his two years at the helm, sits on top of numerous mock draft boards as the Cleveland Browns' first pick.
"I think going back to Pop Warner, high school, college, everyone wants to be No. 1," Darnold said at a pre-draft press conference yesterday. "There's always that competitor in you, but if I'm not picked No. 1, it's the right thing because they didn't want me in the first place. That's the cool thing about the draft."
Should Darnold go No. 1 overall, he would be the sixth No. 1 pick in USC history — more than any other school can claim (USC is currently tied with Auburn and Notre Dame with five No. 1 overall picks). He would also become the 502nd draft pick and 81st first rounder in USC history, both the most of any school in the nation.
All-American RB Ronald Jones, who left USC as the fifth-leading rusher in school history, is projected as a second round pick in most mock drafts. Some scouts have compared him to his football idol, Jamaal Charles. Jones will not attend the draft, but will receive his coveted phone call at a draft party in his hometown of McKinney, Tex., about an hour away from AT&T Stadium, where the draft will be held.
LB Uchenna Nwosu also has a chance to be selected in the second round. The explosive, versatile All-American led all non-DBs in passes broken up last season and racked up 9.5 sacks. DL Rasheem Green, the only Trojan with more sacks last year than Nwosu (10), is projected to go in Round 3. NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock dubbed Green one of the top five edge rushers in the draft.
WR Deontay Burnett is the last Trojan taken in most mock drafts, earning a sixth round look. Burnett, who posted his first 1,000-yard season in 2017, was a Top 5 slot receiver in the nation, according to Pro Football Focus.
Several other Trojans are also eager to learn their NFL fate: OLs Nico Falah and Viane Talamaivao, S Chris Hawkins, WR Steven Mitchell Jr. and DL Josh Fatu.
The NFL Draft begins at 5 p.m. PT tonight. After tonight's first round, the second and third rounds will be broadcast Friday at 4 p.m. The final four rounds will be broadcast Saturday at 9 a.m.
QB Sam Darnold, who won a Rose Bowl and a Pac-12 Championship in his two years at the helm, sits on top of numerous mock draft boards as the Cleveland Browns' first pick."I think going back to Pop Warner, high school, college, everyone wants to be No. 1," Darnold said at a pre-draft press conference yesterday. "There's always that competitor in you, but if I'm not picked No. 1, it's the right thing because they didn't want me in the first place. That's the cool thing about the draft."
Should Darnold go No. 1 overall, he would be the sixth No. 1 pick in USC history — more than any other school can claim (USC is currently tied with Auburn and Notre Dame with five No. 1 overall picks). He would also become the 502nd draft pick and 81st first rounder in USC history, both the most of any school in the nation.
All-American RB Ronald Jones, who left USC as the fifth-leading rusher in school history, is projected as a second round pick in most mock drafts. Some scouts have compared him to his football idol, Jamaal Charles. Jones will not attend the draft, but will receive his coveted phone call at a draft party in his hometown of McKinney, Tex., about an hour away from AT&T Stadium, where the draft will be held.
LB Uchenna Nwosu also has a chance to be selected in the second round. The explosive, versatile All-American led all non-DBs in passes broken up last season and racked up 9.5 sacks. DL Rasheem Green, the only Trojan with more sacks last year than Nwosu (10), is projected to go in Round 3. NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock dubbed Green one of the top five edge rushers in the draft.
WR Deontay Burnett is the last Trojan taken in most mock drafts, earning a sixth round look. Burnett, who posted his first 1,000-yard season in 2017, was a Top 5 slot receiver in the nation, according to Pro Football Focus.
Several other Trojans are also eager to learn their NFL fate: OLs Nico Falah and Viane Talamaivao, S Chris Hawkins, WR Steven Mitchell Jr. and DL Josh Fatu.
The NFL Draft begins at 5 p.m. PT tonight. After tonight's first round, the second and third rounds will be broadcast Friday at 4 p.m. The final four rounds will be broadcast Saturday at 9 a.m.
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