2024 NFL Draft: Two USC Trojans Named No. 1 Players at Their Positions
USC players have been selected in the first round of the past four NFL Drafts, but the Trojans haven’t had two first-round selections since the 2015 draft. There is an entire college football season between now and the 2024 NFL Draft. But early on, it looks like USC is positioned well to send a couple of top picks to the professional ranks. ESPN NFL Draft Analyst Matt Miller looked at prospects available for the 2024 NFL Draft and debated the top two prospects at every position.
Quarterback
There are a handful of quarterbacks earning plenty of attention heading into the 2023 college football season. Four of those reside in the Pac-12, in USC’s Caleb Williams, Oregon’s Bo Nix, Washington’s Michael Penix and Utah’s Cam Rising. But looking way ahead to the 2024 NFL Draft, the two names atop the list are Williams and North Carolina’s Drake Maye.
Miller went with Williams as his top quarterback prospect for the 2024 Draft. He also provided quotes from a couple of NFL personnel about Williams.
NFL general manager: “Williams is Patrick Mahomes, but we didn’t know Mahomes was him yet [when he was drafted in 2017].”
Miller also quoted an NFL West Coast scout about Williams: “He has the potential to be a guy owners want to lose [games] in December [to be able to draft].”
Safety
USC’s Calen Bullock and Lathan Ransom of Ohio State were Miller’s top two safeties for this exercise. Miller has been high on Bullock for a while, previously calling him a sleeper safety prospect who could rise this season. He went with Bullock again as his No. 1 safety prospect.
Miller called Bullock the “most talked-about safety” for the 2024 draft.
He quoted a West Coast NFC scout about Bullock: “Bullock has that over-the-top range and really makes plays on the ball … those INTs aren’t just floating his way.”
In a passing league like the NFL, Bullock’s ability to cover ground will make him a top target. Those five interceptions last season were big. And he has a chance to add a few more to his career total this season behind what should be a more consistent pass rush for the Trojans.
Big Ten Competition
USC fans wondering what might be in store for the Trojans when they make the move to the Big Ten can take a look at Miller’s list.
These players won’t be on the teams USC sees in 2024, but it gives a sense of what awaits them in that league.
Miller’s No. 1 running back is Wisconsin’s Braelon Allen. His No. 2 is Ohio State’s TreVeyon Henderson.
Ohio State wide receivers Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka are Nos. 1 and 2, respectively.
Penn State offensive tackle Olumuyiwa Fashanu is Miller’s No. 1 player at that spot. And Penn State cornerback Kalen King is Miller’s No. 2 corner, behind Alabama’s Kool-Aid McKinstry.
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