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USC Trojans Rookies Impressing Before NFL Roster Cuts

The USC Trojans had three players selected in the 2026 NFL Draft, and all three are poised to make an impact as rookies.
Charlie Viehl|
Jul 29, 2026; Ownings Mills, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Ja’Kobi Lane (6) stretches during practice at the Under Armour Performance Center.
Jul 29, 2026; Ownings Mills, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Ja’Kobi Lane (6) stretches during practice at the Under Armour Performance Center. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

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USC TrojansBaltimore RavensPhiladelphia EaglesChicago BearsHouston Texans

The USC Trojans have a few rookies looking to make their mark in the NFL: Philadelphia Eagles receiver Makai Lemon, Baltimore Ravens recevier Ja'Kobi Lane, and Houston Texans defensive back Kamari Ramsey.

USC Trojans Rookies With Impressive NFL Preseason Debuts

Lemon has not yet played in a preseason game for the Eagles as he deals with a hamstring injury, but Lane, his former running mate in the USC Trojans offense, has left his mark in Baltimore.

usc trojans nfl rookies impressing jakobi lane makai lemon kamari ramsey caleb williams chicago bears baltimore ravens
Jun 9, 2026; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles Makai Lemon (9) during minicamp at Jefferson Health Training Complex. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Ravens added multiple rookie wide receivers through the NFL Draft for quarterback Lamar Jackson, and Lane appears to have built some early chemistry with the star quarterback.

Lane flashed his ability to make one-handed catches and highlight plays throughout his time in Southern California, and that talent has translated at least into NFL practices and preseason games. If Lane can continue to make difficult catches appear routine, it's easy to assume that he will carve out a key role in the Ravens' offense.

In Baltimore's 13-3 preseason win over the Minnesota Vikings, Lane caught one pass for nine yards after being targeted twice. In fact, Lane sat for most of his second preseason game, seemingly proving himself enough to the Baltimore coaching staff.

Jackson has yet to play in the preseason for the Ravens meaning the team's preseason finale could be the first chance to see Lane and Jackson's connection in a game-like setting.

Meanwhile, the Houston Texans have added quite a few former Trojans over the years, including USC defensive back Kamari Ramsey most recently. Ramsey turned heads with an interception against the Los Angeles Chargers, and he was held out of Houston's most recent preseason game with the Las Vegas Raiders as a precautionary measure. As a result, it appears as though Ramsey is expected to be a key contributor in the Texans' secondary, one that already features former USC star Calen Bullock.

Ramsey might have been a healthy scratch against Las Vegas, but former fellow USC star Woody Marks is making a name for himself in the Texans running back room and did so against the Raiders.

usc trojans nfl rookies impressing jakobi lane makai lemon kamari ramsey caleb williams chicago bears baltimore ravens
Aug 20, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans running back Woody Marks (4) runs with the ball and scores a touchdown during the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Reliant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Against the Raiders, Marks led all Texans despite only logging four carries, totaling 37 rushing yards and one touchdown.

Marks played four seasons at Mississippi State before transferring to USC, and he earned Second Team All-Big Ten honors for his performance with the Trojans, rushing for 1,133 yards and 9 touchdowns on 198 carries. Marks also flashed his ability to work as a receiver out of the backfield while in Southern California, a skill that can help him find the field more often in Houston.

Caleb Williams Break Out Year Incoming?

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams led his team to an NFC North division title in his first season playing with new coach Ben Johnson, but what will year two with Johnson have in store for the former Heisman Trophy winner?

usc trojans nfl rookies impressing jakobi lane makai lemon kamari ramsey caleb williams chicago bears baltimore ravens
Aug 22, 2026; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) calls a play in the first half against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

While Williams' completion percentage might have dipped slightly in 2025 compared to his rookie season, Chicago was a better offensive team thanks to Williams throughout the season. He threw for 400 more yards and took roughly 40 less sacks, ultimately leading the Bears to 11 wins.

Williams even led Chicago to a playoff win over the Green Bay Packers before the Bears' season ended against the Los Angeles Rams.

The former Trojan has only made five pass attempts in the NFL preseason so far, but he will likely see the field more in the Bears' preseason finale against the Tennessee Titans on Aug. 29.

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Charlie Viehl
CHARLIE VIEHL

Charlie Viehl is the deputy editor for the Oregon Ducks, Colorado Buffaloes, and USC Trojans on SI. He has written hundreds of articles for SI and has covered events like the Big Ten Championship and College Football Playoff Quarterfinals at the Rose Bowl. While pursuing a career in sports journalism, he is also a lifelong musician, holding a degree in Music and Philosophy from Boston College. A native of Pasadena, California, he covered sports across Los Angeles while at Loyola High School and edited the Gabelli Presidential Scholars Program’s magazine at BC. He is excited to bring his passion for storytelling and sports to fans of college athletics.

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