Top 10 NFL players from USC
The University of Southern California (USC) has one of the most prestigious footballing programs in college football. The USC Trojans have produced a number of players who have succeeded in the NFL, including many in the current crop.
Playing at the historic LA Memorial Coliseum, USC has won 17 national championships, with the most recent coming in 2017. Their success makes it difficult to narrow down the top 10 NFL players from USC.
Sam Darnold was heralded as the most talented quarterback to come through the USC system in recent years. However, he hasn’t yet been able to find a way to lead an NFL team to a championship.
There are 33 USC alumni currently playing in the NFL in 2022, with each having varying degrees of success. Below, we will take a look at the top 10 NFL players from USC who are currently plying their trade in the league.
#1 JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR, Kansas City Chiefs
JuJu Smith-Schuster leads the list of top 10 NFL players from USC. He’s an exceptional wide receiver, but hasn’t yet been able to replicate the form he showed in his early NFL career with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
As a new member of Kansas City’s fantastic offense, Smith-Schuster has been a consistent performer. He may have only caught for over 100 yards once in six games, however he has been steadily productive.
He burst onto the scene in Pittsburgh. He is the youngest receiver to reach 2,500 receiving yards and he set a Steelers’ record for the longest ever touchdown reception at 97 yards. He repeated this feat to become the first-ever NFL player to score two offensive touchdowns of at least 97 yards.
Whilst his youth may have been beneficial to his early success, there have been controversial episodes.
These have generally centered around him angering players from opposing teams by dancing on midfield logos belonging to other teams in away games.
#2 Tyron Smith, OT, Dallas Cowboys
Since being drafted into the NFL back in 2011, Tyron Smith has been an ever-present on the Dallas Cowboys’ offensive line and is one of the top 10 NFL players from USC.
He has enjoyed a tremendous career since then. Smith’s performances have seen him voted to eight Pro Bowls, as well as being a two-time First Team All-Pro player.
2013 was his finest year. He was simply unbeatable at the left tackle position. In 16 starts, he allowed just 1.5 sacks and gave up just four penalties.
Smith has struggled with injuries as his career has entered its latter stages, however he has also faced a difficult battle off the field as a young professional.
Looking to provide for his family is a goal shared by the majority of NFL players, yet Smith’s family took liberties and too much money from him. Smith had to wrestle back control of his finances by hiring a financial advisor who has worked with him ever since.