University Southern California Trojans
2019 #USCtotheNFL Season Preview
September 05, 2019 | Football, USC Ripsit Blog, Features
The 2019 NFL season kicks off tonight, and USC is extending its unmatched NFL legacy with 34 Trojans on opening night rosters.
Of those 34, 25 are on a team's active roster, while 5 will start the season on injured reserve and 4 will start on a team's practice squad.
Ryan Kalil came out of retirement to join the New York Jets this season, making him the most senior Trojan in the NFL. During his 13th year in the league, he'll be snapping the ball to USC alum and rising NFL star Sam Darnold. Darnold, who led the Trojans to a Rose Bowl and a Pac-12 Championship, looks to build upon a strong rookie season. The Jets also feature two more Trojans in rookie OL Chuma Edoga and Pro Bowl DE Leonard Williams.
The Los Angeles Rams and Pittsburgh Steelers boast three Trojans each.
CB Nickell Robey-Coleman and WR Robert Woods helped the Rams get to the Super Bowl last season, and fan favorite LB Clay Matthews came home to sign with the Rams this offseason.
TE Xavier Grimble and OL Zach Banner join superstar WR JuJu Smith-Schuster on the Pittsburgh Steelers. Smith-Schuster set multiple NFL records in his second season, such as becoming the youngest player in NFL history to reach 1,500 receiving yards and becoming the first player in NFL history to score at least two offensive TDs of 97+ yards.
While ESPN dubbed USC "QBU" and "WRU," USC is best represented this season by offensive linemen (7). USC also boasts six wide receivers and six defensive linemen.
A full list of USC alumni on NFL rosters is below.
Of those 34, 25 are on a team's active roster, while 5 will start the season on injured reserve and 4 will start on a team's practice squad.
Ryan Kalil came out of retirement to join the New York Jets this season, making him the most senior Trojan in the NFL. During his 13th year in the league, he'll be snapping the ball to USC alum and rising NFL star Sam Darnold. Darnold, who led the Trojans to a Rose Bowl and a Pac-12 Championship, looks to build upon a strong rookie season. The Jets also feature two more Trojans in rookie OL Chuma Edoga and Pro Bowl DE Leonard Williams.
The Los Angeles Rams and Pittsburgh Steelers boast three Trojans each.
CB Nickell Robey-Coleman and WR Robert Woods helped the Rams get to the Super Bowl last season, and fan favorite LB Clay Matthews came home to sign with the Rams this offseason.
TE Xavier Grimble and OL Zach Banner join superstar WR JuJu Smith-Schuster on the Pittsburgh Steelers. Smith-Schuster set multiple NFL records in his second season, such as becoming the youngest player in NFL history to reach 1,500 receiving yards and becoming the first player in NFL history to score at least two offensive TDs of 97+ yards.
While ESPN dubbed USC "QBU" and "WRU," USC is best represented this season by offensive linemen (7). USC also boasts six wide receivers and six defensive linemen.
A full list of USC alumni on NFL rosters is below.
| NAME | POSITION | YEARS AT USC |
|---|---|---|
| ARIZONA CARDINALS | ||
| Justin Davis (P) | Running Back | 2013-16 |
| Josh Shaw(+) | Cornerback | 2012-14 |
| BALTIMORE RAVENS | ||
| Iman Marshall(+) | Cornerback | 2015-18 |
| BUFFALO BILLS | ||
| Matt Barkley | Quarterback | 2009-12 |
| DALLAS COWBOYS | ||
| Tyron Smith* | Offensive Tackle | 2008-10 |
| Antwaun Woods | Defensive Tackle | 2011-15 |
| DENVER BRONCOS | ||
| Nico Falah(+) | Guard | 2013-17 |
| DETROIT LIONS | ||
| Devon Kennard | Linebacker | 2009-13 |
| HOUSTON TEXANS | ||
| Matt Kalil* | Offensive Tackle | 2008-11 |
| Steven Mitchell Jr. (P) | Wide Receiver | 2013-17 |
| Isaac Whitney(+) | Wide Receiver | 2015-16 |
| INDIANAPOLIS COLTS | ||
| Marvell Tell III | Safety | 2015-18 |
| JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS | ||
| Marqise Lee | Wide Receiver | 2011-13 |
| LOS ANGELES CHARGERS | ||
| Chris Brown (P) | Guard | 2014-18 |
| Uchenna Nwosu | Linebacker | 2014-17 |
| LOS ANGELES RAMS | ||
| Clay Matthews*^ | Linebacker | 2004-08 |
| Nickell Robey-Coleman | Cornerback | 2010-12 |
| Robert Woods | Wide Receiver | 2010-12 |
| MINNESOTA VIKINGS | ||
| Everson Griffen* | Defensive End | 2007-09 |
| Cameron Smith (P) | Linebacker | 2015-18 |
| NEW ORLEANS SAINTS | ||
| Wes Horton | Defensive End | 2009-12 |
| NEW YORK GIANTS | ||
| Rhett Ellison | Tight End | 2007-11 |
| NEW YORK JETS | ||
| Sam Darnold | Quarterback | 2015-17 |
| Chuma Edoga | Offensive Tackle | 2015-18 |
| Ryan Kalil* | Center | 2003-06 |
| Leonard Williams* | Defensive End | 2012-14 |
| PHILADELPHIA EAGLES | ||
| Nelson Agholor^ | Wide Receiver | 2012-14 |
| PITTSBURGH STEELERS | ||
| Zach Banner | Offensive Tackle | 2013-16 |
| Xavier Grimble | Tight End | 2010-13 |
| JuJu Smith-Schuster* | Wide Receiver | 2014-16 |
| SEATTLE SEAHAWKS | ||
| Rasheem Green | Defensive End | 2015-17 |
| Jordan Simmons(+) | Guard | 2012-16 |
| TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS | ||
| Ronald Jones II | Running Back | 2015-17 |
| TENNESSEE TITANS | ||
| Jurrell Casey* | Defensive Tackle | 2008-10 |
| Adoree' Jackson | Cornerback | 2014-16 |
* - has at least one Pro Bowl selection
^ - Super Bowl Champion
(+) - Injured Reserve
(P) - Practice Squad
Players Mentioned
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