Top 10 NFL players from USC

#3 Leonard Williams, DT, New York Giants

Leonard Williams has been a star defensive lineman since his USC career. He has spent his entire NFL career in New York, playing for both the Jets and now the Giants.

A dominant player off the line, Williams is a monster of a man. Standing at 6’5" and 302lbs, Williams is exactly the kind of pass rusher who terrifies the offensive line.

In 107 career games in the NFL, Williams has recorded 35.5 sacks and 204 solo tackles.

He made the Pro Bowl once in 2016, although his best season came in 2020 when he recorded 11.5 sacks, which included a game against the Seattle Seahawks where he claimed 2.5 sacks.

In more recent times, he has struggled. Injuries have kept him to just three appearances in 2022 and he registered no sacks and just six solo tackles.

After the Giants restructured his contract before the 2022 season, Williams will be a free-agent again in 2024 after earning at least $45 million in guaranteed money.

#4 Adoree’ Jackson, CB, New York Giants

Adoree’ Jackson is also a member of the New York Giants’ defense, having been drafted into the league by the Titans in 2017.

Whilst not an interception specialist in the backfield, Jackson has been a solid performer for both Tennessee and the Giants.

A talented kick-returner on special teams, Jackson is yet to truly set the NFL alight, but he is one of the most talented USC alumni around in 2022.

Jackson’s time with the Titans didn’t end harmoniously, as he missed 13 games in 2020. The official reason was a knee injury, although rumors have since emerged of a rift between the defender and coach Mike Vrabel, with Jackson admitting that the pair never gelled.

#5 Sam Darnold, QB, Carolina Panthers

Sam Darnold arrived into the NFL with a really difficult job in New York. The Jets drafted him as their next great quarterback, such was his prodigious career with USC.

However, accusations of physical frailty plagued him in the Big Apple and the media market ate him alive.

From contracting Mono to his ‘seeing ghosts’ comment when he was mic’d up for a Monday Night Football game, Jets fans turned against Darnold.

In truth, he was okay as a rookie. He threw 17 touchdowns and beat that in year two with 19 touchdowns. However, the tide turned in New York and after a disappointing third season, he was traded to Carolina.

Panthers fans are yet to see the best of Darnold. He made just 11 starts in 2021 and threw just nine touchdowns. He played in a very poor team and has since lost his place to Baker Mayfield.