Since the beginning of the Lincoln Riley era at USC, Riley has produced NFL talent. The Trojans have maintained an impression that they are a program where the best of the best in the NFL reside. Riley has kept that up, and in the last few seasons, some of the best young players in the league were former Trojans.
Here is a list of all the high-profile draft picks USC has had during the Lincoln Riley era:
Jordan Addison
Jordan Addison was the first highly drafted player in the Lincoln Riley era. In 2023, Addison was drafted in the 1st round at pick 23 by the Minnesota Vikings. His talent is undeniable, yet he has still struggled to reach his full potential just yet. In 3 seasons, Addison has yet to reach 1k yards. In his rookie season, he posted 70 catches, 911 yards receiving, and 10 touchdown passes. Instead of getting better, his last two seasons his production has come down. Kyler Murray may be the key to Addison having a great year. Vikings picked up his 5th year option, so there is still belief in the building in Addison.
Tuli Tuipulotu
Tuli Tuipulotu was in the same draft class as Jordan Addison; he just fell to the second round and was taken at pick 54 to the Chargers. In 2024, Tuli Tuipulotu took a step forward in his development and had 8.5 sacks. This past season, Tuipulotu really showed the type of player he was, and he made the Chargers right in their decision to move on from Joey Bosa. Tuipulotu had 13 sacks in 2025, and he cemented his name as one of the top rushers in the league now and the Chargers’ elite guy off the edge.
Mekhi Blackmon
Mekhi Blackmon was taken in 2023 right behind Addison and Tuipulotu. He fell to the 3rd round, and unfortunately for him, the team that drafted him was the Minnesota Vikings, and they moved on from him earlier in his tenure. He really did not give Minnesota enough for him to become a building block. With the Colts his new home in 2025, he was a very serviceable corner. Blackmon had 64 tackles, 1 sack, 2 interceptions, and 7 pass deflections last year.
Caleb Williams
Caleb Williams became the 6th Trojan to be taken #1 overall in 2024. Caleb Williams had a down season in his rookie year, but with Ben Johnson this season, it was a full resurgence for Caleb. Caleb looked like he was back at USC, and he led the Bears to places they haven’t been in quite some time. He broke the Bears’ single-season passing record, and this next season, he is slated to break even more records.
Calen Bullock
In the same class as Caleb Williams, Calen Bullock landed with the Houston Texans in the 3rd round. Bullock was a great addition right from the beginning. In two years with the Texans, he has played 17 games in both years, and he has had 9 interceptions total. Bullock is a difference maker and arguably one of the best safeties in the game.
MarShawn Lloyd
A player who had big expectations coming into Green Bay, and really has not provided much to justify his 3rd round selection. He has struggled to stay healthy, and in his short tenure in Green Bay, he has only seen action in 1 game. There is still some potential in Lloyd, but I do not know how much longer Green Bay will wait.
Jaylin Smith
Jaylin Smith led the Trojans in last year’s draft, being the highest selection, with him being taken in the 3rd round to the Texans. Smith was a special teams player for the Texans, and he hasn’t gotten that chance yet to have the impact that Calen Bullock is making. With a good camp this season, he could get into the rotation and more playing time.
Woody Marks
The Texans took another shot at another USC Trojan and drafted Woody Marks in the 4th round of the last draft. Marks had an up-and-down season, but he still came up big for Houston. He had his best game for the Texans in the wild-card round of the playoffs as he ran for 112 yards and a touchdown. No Joe Mixon for the entire season, and Mark filled in, giving the Texans 703 yards rushing and 2 touchdowns. The Texans added a more consistent back in David Montgomery, but that opens the door for Marks to get back to what he is best at. With less pressure and a reduced role, Mark and David Montgomery could give the Texans a great 1-2 punch.
Makai Lemon
Makai Lemon was selected at pick 20 by the Philadelphia Eagles, a huge surprise on night 1 in the draft. It was a destination not as favored, but Lemon should make a big impact in this offense, especially with A.J. Brown heading out very soon.
Ja’Kobi Lane
Ja’Kobi Lane was the second Trojan to hear his name in this past draft, and he landed with the Baltimore Ravens in the 3rd round. Lane will get a chance to give Lamar Jackson something he has never had, and that is an outside threat.
Kamari Ramsey
The Houston Texans strike again! The Texans selected Kamari Ramsey in the 5th round. Ramsey, with his versatility and his physicality, matches what Demeco Ryans wants this Texans defense to be all about. I think Ramsey will share the field with other former USC Trojan Calen Bullok a lot this season.
This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: Evaluations of high-profile USC NFL draft picks under Lincoln Riley
Reporting by Micah Huff, Trojans Wire / Trojans Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
