‘Pro-jans’: A check-in on the NFL’s newest USC alums

How does the Trojans’ 2024 draft class shape up on the big stage?

BY AVANI LAKKIREDDY
Caleb Williams recorded the most games with 300 or more passing yards by a Chicago quarterback since 2018, with four such games. However, he was only able to win five games with the Bears in his rookie season. (Brooks Taylor / Daily Trojan file photo)

USC is a football school. At least that’s the sport the school has been defined by, boasting 11 football national championships, eight Heisman trophy winners and 39 conference championships. The glow of Trojan football has diminished over the past few seasons, steadily lessening ever since Pete Carroll’s coaching reign ended in 2009. The team’s outlook was especially dim this season, going 7-6 with a boatload of quarterback drama.  

But, even in the midst of a lackluster football season on campus, USC alumni have continued to perform in the NFL. Here are some of the standouts: 

Caleb Williams

The most high-profile pick of the entire NFL draft, Caleb Williams, went first overall to the Chicago Bears. Williams, drafted after the Bears traded quarterback Justin Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers, held Chicago’s hopes of finally drafting a successful franchise quarterback capable of ending their offensive slump. 

As far as a rookie season goes, Williams did not have an atrocious one. He threw for 3,541 yards and 20 touchdowns, with six interceptions. However, the Heisman winner was expected to carry a severely lacking Bears offense like he did at USC. Williams just could not do that. Instead, he was sacked 68 times, losing 466 yards in the process, the fourth-most ever lost by a quarterback in an NFL season, period. 

Additionally, Williams’ rookie season was severely overshadowed by the likes of Bo Nix and Jayden Daniels, who both led their recently struggling teams — the Denver Broncos and the Washington Commanders, respectively — to the playoffs. 

In fact, a turning point for the Bears’ season came at the hands of Daniels himself, who Hail Mary-ed the Commanders to a thrilling win against the Bears. Post Hail Mary, the Bears lost nine straight games, effectively ending Chicago’s playoff hopes. 

It’s true, the Bears’ problems go past just Williams: a better offensive line and the right head coach after Matt Eberflus’ mid-season ousting would help. But, Williams’ next steps to truly excel in the NFL must center around getting the ball out early and accurately, hopefully preventing him from repeating more of the same next season.


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Calen Bullock

Picked 78th overall by the Houston Texans, safety Calen Bullock stood out even as a rookie. Racking up five interceptions, 54 tackles, 11 defended passes and a fumble recovery, Bullock has cemented himself as an important player for the sixth best overall defense in the NFL. 

Bullock’s tenacity for a turnover started at USC. In 2023, Bullock led the Trojans with two interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown. The year before, Bullock picked the ball off five times. Additionally, Bullock boasted 61 tackles and seven broken passes in his final Trojan season. 

Now, as the Texans gear up to face the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Divisional Round, Bullock must do more of the same against Patrick Mahomes’ passing. 

MarShawn Lloyd

In his single season at USC, Lloyd rushed for 9 touchdowns and 820 yards, averaging a whopping 7.1 yards per attempt. However, after going 88th overall to the Green Bay Packers, Lloyd’s rookie season was fraught with injury. 

First, he sustained a hip injury during training camp, then a hamstring injury during his debut against the Browns. Later, Lloyd injured his ankle against the Colts before finally being ruled out for the season with another hamstring injury and an appendectomy. All told, Lloyd appeared in just one game against the Colts, with 15 yards on six carries. 

However, if Lloyd is able to heal in the off-season, the running back could be a good second option after Green Bay star Josh Jacobs, who rushed for 1,329 yards this season.

And more

Other Trojans who just completed their rookie season include offensive tackle Jarrett Kingston, defensive end Solomon Byrd and wide receivers Brenden Rice and Tahj Washington. Rice, the son of wide receiver Jerry Rice, was placed on injured reserve with a shoulder injury after being drafted by the Los Angeles Chargers. 

The 2025 NFL draft is slated to be held in April at the iconic Lambeau Field in Wisconsin, and  once again, the Trojans should have quite a few players in the NFL’s sights.  

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