With the NFL draft beginning Thursday, here’s a look at where USC prospects can expect to be selected over the weekend:
Makai Lemon
Position: Wide receiver
Year: Junior
Size: 5-foot-11, 192 pounds
Projections: Lemon declared for the draft after three seasons with USC – as many expected – and is a projected first-round pick in every major mock draft that’s surfaced throughout the draft season. ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper expects the Rams to choose Lemon with the 13th overall pick in the draft, but the Los Alamitos High grad has also visited with the Miami Dolphins (11th pick) and the Washington Commanders (7th pick) this month. His route-running out of the slot, ability to make contested catches and overall toughness make him an appealing option for any team.
Kamari Ramsey
Position: Safety
Year: Redshirt junior
Size: 6-foot, 202 pounds
Projections: Moving to nickelback and missing two games caused Ramsey’s stats to drop off this season, but the position did give the Sierra Canyon High product the opportunity to flex his football IQ and add another tool to his belt. He also clocked 4.47 seconds to rank ninth out of all safeties at the NFL combine. Ramsey is expected to be a Day 2 selection in the third round, and might still be available for the right team early in the fourth round. Either way, he will be the first Sierra Canyon alumnus to reach the NFL.
Ja’Kobi Lane
Position: Wide receiver
Year: Junior
Size: 6-foot-4, 200 pounds
Projections: Lane gave up a fourth year of college football to declare for the draft, but his performance and physical traits have him ready to be selected in the third or fourth round – although there is an outside chance of sneaking into the second round if there’s a good fit. His length lends itself to snagging contested catches while maintaining body control in or near the red zone, and it made him one of the highest-performing receivers in the vertical and broad jumps at the combine.
Anthony Lucas
Position: Defensive end
Year: Senior
Size: 6-foot-6, 256 pounds
Projections: Lucas’ 85-inch wingspan and strength were beneficial in the Trojans’ pass rush, but a total of three career sacks has left many draft analysts scratching their heads. A leg injury ended his junior season after six games, which could be enough to signal health and durability concerns to NFL teams. Expect Lucas’ name to be called in the fourth or fifth round.
Bishop Fitzgerald
Position: Safety
Year: Redshirt senior
Size: 5-foot-11, 201 pounds
Projections: Fitzgerald has steadily improved his NFL prospects over the years by transferring from Coffeyville Community College to NC State and finally to USC. Ball-hawking is his specialty, and his five interceptions this season ranked seventh out of all FBS players. Fitzgerald learned D’Anton Lynn’s defensive scheme in one offseason and was one of the few players to excel in it this year. He secured an invite to the combine, but his 4.55 40-yard dash time ranked him last out of all safeties and raises questions about his ability to consistently get down the field, which could lower him to the fifth or sixth round.
Lake McRee
Position: Tight end
Year: Redshirt senior
Size: 6-foot-4, 243 pounds
Projections: McRee showed growth in his game, and put on size in his final year with the Trojans to land on Kiper’s “Big Board” this week as the No. 10 H-back/fullback in this draft class. He can work in space and make contested catches in the pass game, but a lack of size and athleticism in addition to two ACL tears throughout high school and college could make NFL teams wary and push him to the seventh round.
DJ Harvey
Position: Cornerback
Year: Redshirt senior
Size: 5-foot-10, 190 pounds
Projections: Harvey was unable to become a starter this season despite gaining schematic knowledge across his time at Virginia Tech, San Jose State and USC. Limited playing time and a smaller frame mean he could be selected in the sixth or seventh round.
Eric Gentry
Position: Linebacker
Year: Redshirt senior
Size: 6-foot-7, 221 pounds
Projections: For all that Gentry has accomplished in his playing career at USC, he is still defined by his measurements. He was the tallest linebacker at the NFL combine. While this bodes well for pursuits across space, he may not have the complementary mass needed to thrive in the NFL. Still, Kiper ranked him as the No. 19 linebacker this draft, and he may go in the seventh round.