With the NFL draft beginning Thursday, here’s a look at where USC prospects can expect to be selected over the weekend.
Jonah Monheim
Position: Offensive line
Size: 6-foot-4, 302 pounds
Projection: Monheim has experience playing multiple positions on the offensive line and doing so at a high level. He appeared in 51 games, starting 46 of them, across his last four seasons at USC and displayed consistency and durability. While he excelled at right tackle as a sophomore and junior, and willingly made the shift to the blind side this past season, Monheim may be looked at as a guard in the NFL because of his shorter reach, and because of that he could drop into the latter rounds of the draft.
Jo’Quavious “Woody” Marks
Position: Running back
Size: 5-foot-10, 207 pounds
Projection: Marks doesn’t have the speed to fit the popular outside-zone running scheme that has swept across the NFL and become a premium in the draft, but his combination of size and pass-catching ability make him a sure bet to be selected. There’s a chance he hears his name called on Day 2 in the fourth round, but because of the devaluation of the running back position, Round 5 is a realistically hopeful destination.
Akili Arnold
Position: Safety
Size: 6-foot, 196 pounds
Projection: Because of his high intelligence and technical skills, Arnold is a sound tackler who was relied upon to play in the box. That may not translate to the NFL, though, because of his leaner build, which will make his draft stock somewhat weaker because he doesn’t stand out as much in coverage. He does have experience playing on special teams and could make his way into the NFL through that path. Hearing his name called is the first step to that, and he may have to wait until the final round.
Jaylin Smith
Position: Defensive Back
Size: 5-foot-10, 187 pounds
Projection: Smith may have some untapped potential because he was moved all over the secondary and never able to settle in as USC shuffled through defensive coordinators during his career. He settled in nicely at cornerback this past season, but doesn’t have enough experience playing that position to assure he’ll be selected during the NFL draft. If he does get that chance, he could turn out to be a later-round steal.
Jacobe Covington
Position: Defensive Back
Size: 6-foot, 207 pounds
Projection: Covington projects as a prototypical press-cornerback, so he could be effective if selected by a team that deploys that scheme. That said, he posted a 4.64 40-yard dash, which is in the seventh percentile at his position. Therefore, there’s opportunity for him to get beat off the line by quicker NFL receivers. Covington could be selected on the third day of the draft, but may slip through the cracks and go undrafted.
Mason Cobb
Position: Linebacker
Size: 6-foot, 232 pounds
Projection: Cobb excels in defending against the edge run game as he can fly from box to box. However, he’s a bit one-dimensional as he recorded just three sacks during his NCAA career, none coming after he transferred to USC in 2023, and he allowed a quarterback rating of 120.9 on targets he defended. In the NFL, linebackers are asked to defend the run, rush the quarterback and guard world-class pass-catchers. Because Cobb needs to make strides in the latter two categories, he might not hear his name called.
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