LOS ANGELES — As a dreary, fog-coated morning gave way to brilliant sunshine, the ring of NFL eyes around USC’s Allyson Felix Field only grew wider, all drawn to the 6-foot-1 lightning rod dealing at the center of the turf.
Yes, Caleb Williams didn’t throw at the Combine. But this was Pro Day. And Pro Day was different. He wasn’t here to wow – he was here to demonstrate prowess under center, poise in play-action, and for another simple reason: he was throwing to his guys.
And so Austin Jones spun out of the backfield to showcase his versatility, and Brenden Rice leapt to showcase his body control, and Tahj Washington toe-tapped on the sidelines to showcase his savvy. And the eyes on Williams, inevitably, went to them, too, a slew of fellow prospects doing their best to make a statement.
Williams, barring an outcome that would shock the football world, will be headed to the Chicago Bears with the first overall pick in Thursday’s NFL Draft. But a handful of his former teammates, too, await fates much less concrete, a wide range of outcomes awaiting standouts like Rice and Washington.
Here is the Southern California News Group’s guide to USC’s potential selections in the 2024 NFL Draft, examining each prospect’s pro potential.
Day 1 picks
CALEB WILLIAMS, QB
Measurements: 6-foot-1, 214 pounds (combine)
We won’t spend too much time here. The world knows his name, and his game has been picked apart relentlessly in the pre-draft process, but his stock still stands head and shoulders above any other prospect in the draft; the Bears sent an entire fleet out to USC’s Pro Day and have seemingly been laser-focused on Williams in the pre-draft process.
He would land in a pretty cushy situation for a no. 1 overall pick, with two top targets in D.J. Moore and former Chargers receiver Keenan Allen awaiting. Everything is set up for Williams to chase greatness.
Mid-round targets
CALEN BULLOCK, DB
Measurements: 6-2, 187 pounds, 77.75-inch wingspan, 4.48 40-yard dash, 33-inch vertical
A ball-hawk with incredible speed and natural instincts in coverage, Bullock could make an NFL team very happy around the third round of the draft. Bullock said at USC’s Pro Day that teams were looking at him to potentially shift to cornerback or nickel, due to a lanky frame, but he still emphasized he was entering the draft as a safety.
“I don’t think there’s too many safeties whose body built like mines and can move around like me,” Bullock said.
TAHJ WASHINGTON, WR
Measurements: 5-9, 174 pounds, 70.375-inch wingspan, 4.52 40-yard dash, 34.5-inch vertical
“Chef Tahj” Washington profiles in size as a slot receiver and doesn’t sport overwhelming speed, but his growth and maturity as a pass-catcher in three seasons at USC make him perhaps the most intriguing non-Williams Trojan to enter this year’s draft. He is sure-handed, improved considerably as a deep threat in 2023, and is a savvy route-runner. He may be a candidate to slip into later rounds of the draft, though, as his measurements don’t pop off the page.
BRENDEN RICE, WR
Measurements: 6-2, 208 pounds, 77.5-inch wingspan, 4.50 40-yard dash, 36.5-inch vertical
Rice has natural NFL size and body control – plus pedigree, the son of one Jerry Rice – but his speed doesn’t pop off the page. He has no shortage of confidence, however, asserting his “top-end speed is incredible” at USC’s Pro Day, and will likely find a home around the third or fourth round. He told reporters that he held a visit with the Chargers before Pro Day, adding that the teams he had heard from most were the Chargers, Detroit Lions, Arizona Cardinals, Philadelphia Eagles and Carolina Panthers.
MARSHAWN LLOYD, RB
Measurements: 5-9, 221 pounds, 4.46 40-yard dash, 36-inch vertical
Lloyd could wind up being the biggest USC riser on draft day, a back who has generated consistent buzz ever since the season ended and sports NFL-ready vision, strength, and acceleration. He showed flashes of pass-catching upside and versatility as a blocker in 2023, and could be a target for the Chargers in the middle of the draft, given a pre-existing relationship with former USC and now-Chargers RB coach Kiel McDonald. Don’t be surprised if Lloyd scoots his way into a Day 2 selection.
Day 3 hopefuls
AUSTIN JONES, RB
Measurements: 5-9, 200 pounds, 4.57 40-yard dash, 36.5-inch vertical
Not a blazer but a smart runner who was consistently efficient at USC, Jones has received some buzz around NFL interest in the pre-draft process and is a likely late-round target.
KYON BARRS, DL
Measurements: 6-1, 301 pounds, 79.25-inch wingspan, 5.15 40-yard dash, 28.5-inch vertical
A college football veteran whose story – living in a hotel room with family for much of his high school career – is easy to root for, Barrs never received the snaps he was looking for as a senior at USC after transferring from Arizona. He sported an improved physique at Pro Day, however, and is as motivated as anyone coming out of USC to latch on in the NFL.
“I’ve always had faith in myself I could go to the league,” he told SCNG back in the fall. “I still do, to this day.”
MAX WILLIAMS, DB
Measurements: 5-8, 181 pounds, 70.375-inch wingspan, 4.63 40-yard dash, 31.5-inch vertical
A mature five-year USC veteran, Williams has heard from NFL teams that he is a more natural fit at nickel as opposed to his collegiate position of safety, father Maxzell Williams told the SCNG. He has received interest from a couple of teams, Maxzell said, but not much. In the meantime, Williams has completed his coursework necessary to earn a real estate license and has multiple job offers in the real estate market, his father said, setting him up for success regardless of his NFL future.
SOLOMON BYRD, DE
Measurements: 6-3, 251 pounds, 80.625-inch wingspan, 5.01 40-yard dash, 32-inch vertical
Byrd broke out during his final college season, racking up six sacks and four forced fumbles as a senior. His frame and explosiveness doesn’t pop off the page, but he was productive enough in college to likely warrant a look as a free agent if he isn’t drafted.
JUSTIN DEDICH, C
Measurements: 6-2, 301 pounds, 77.625-inch wingspan, 5.38 40-yard-dash, 30.5-inch vertical
A fan favorite and steady USC center, Dedich said at Pro Day that he has been receiving interest from NFL teams to primarily play on the interior and at center. How NFL teams view his athleticism will determine if he’ll earn a late-round choice.
CHRISTIAN ROLAND-WALLACE, DB
Measurements: 5-11, 202 pounds, 77-inch wingspan, 4.63 40-yard dash, 37.5-inch vertical
Roland-Wallace rounded into form quickly as USC’s best cornerback in 2023, and is an experienced starter in college with quality coverage skills. Look for him to come off the board in the sixth or seventh round.