Two Former USC Trojans Stars Ranked Among NFL's Youngest Top Players

Where do these two former USC Trojans stars rank among the top 25 players in the NFL under the age of 25?

Aug 30, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley watches from the sidelines against the Missouri State Bears in the first half at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The USC Trojans are one of several college football programs whose former players go on to have success in the NFL. Some of those former Trojan stars played under coach Lincoln Riley, as the development they underwent had a major impact on them being top selections in the NFL Draft. 

With the NFL in the midst of preseason and the regular season on the horizon, The Athletic recently released its list of the top 25 NFL players under 25, and two former Trojan stars made the cut: Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams and Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London.

Nov 18, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams (13) scrambles during the second quarter against the UCLA Bruins at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jason Parkhurst-USA TODAY Sports | USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect

While they’ve shown their stardom in the NFL, it wasn’t long ago that these two former Trojan stars were putting on a show for the Trojans and in front of USC fans at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. 

Here’s a look back at Williams and London’s Trojan careers and the impact they’ve made in the NFL so far as the top 25 NFL players under 25.

Caleb Williams

Jan 10, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) warms up prior to an NFC Wild Card Round game against the Green Bay Packers at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams ranks No. 21 among the NFL’s top 25 players under 25 entering the 2026 season. The former Trojans quarterback had a remarkable career at USC, throwing for 8,170 yards, 72 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. 

In his first season with the Trojans, after following Riley from the Oklahoma Sooners to Los Angeles, Williams won the Heisman Trophy with USC. Williams put the Trojans on the cusp of the College Football Playoff, as both losses came to the Utah Utes. Williams’ 4,537 passing yards, 42 touchdowns, and five interceptions were enough to become the eighth Trojan to win the Heisman Trophy. 

Dec 10, 2022; New York, NY, USA; Southern California quarterback Caleb Williams (right) poses for photos with his head coach Lincoln Riley during a press conference in the Astor Ballroom at the New York Marriott Marquis in New York, NY, after winning the 2022 Heisman Trophy. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports | USA TODAY Sports

Williams' success under Riley also led the Chicago Bears to select him with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Williams, along with new coach Ben Johnson, has helped turn the Bears franchise around. This season, as one of the NFL's best young stars, Williams and the Bears look to build off a year in which they won the NFC North and made it to the Divisional Round of the playoffs.   

Drake London

Aug 14, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London (5) warms up before a game against the Denver Broncos at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Trojans have seen several of their former wide receiver stars have success in the NFL. One of those former wide receiver stars is Drake London of the Atlanta Falcons, who, in his four seasons in the NFL, has recorded 309 receptions for 3,961 yards and 22 touchdowns. London is ranked No. 24 on the top 25 list.  

Before the Falcons selected London with the No. 8 overall pick in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, London played three seasons at USC under former Trojans coach Clay Helton. In those three seasons, London recorded 160 receptions for 2,153 yards and 15 touchdowns. 

Oct 2, 2021; Boulder, Colorado, USA; USC Trojans wide receiver Drake London (15) and running back Vavae Malepeai (6) celebrate a score in the second half against the Colorado Buffaloes at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports | USA TODAY Sports

London’s leadership at wide receiver for the Trojans from 2019 to 2021 helped him earn several accolades, including Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year in 2021. During that 2021 season that featured the firing of Helton, London finished with 88 receptions for 1,084 yards and seven touchdowns. London also earned All-Pac-12 first and second-team selections in the 2020 and 2021 seasons for the Trojans. 

With their last playoff appearance coming in 2017, London looks to play a critical role in the Falcons' return to the postseason this year. Last season, London and the Falcons finished at 8-9 overall and came just short of winning the NFC South division title.  

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