TROJANS IN THE PROS - USC Trojans On SI - Sports Illustrated

TROJANS IN THE PROS

Jan 12, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans during the second half of an AFC Wild Card Round game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Former USC Trojans have paved the way this NFL Wild Card round, especially the younger NFL stars like Houston Texans Calen Bullock and Woody Marks. In their dominant 30-6 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, both contributed to Houston's road playoff win.

Jan 12, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans during the second half of an AFC Wild Card Round game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

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Former USC Trojans have paved the way this NFL Wild Card round, especially the younger NFL stars like Houston Texans Calen Bullock and Woody Marks. In their dominant 30-6 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, both contributed to Houston's road playoff win.

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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

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Former USC Trojans star quarterback Caleb Williams helped lead the Chicago Bears to a historic 31-27 comeback win over the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Wild Card Round. What were the key plays that Williams made that helped fuel the comeback?

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

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Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams fired back at legendary rapper Lil Wayne on social media after the franchise's historic playoff win over the Green Bay Packers on Saturday night.

Nov 11, 2023; Eugene, Oregon, USA; USC Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley talks to quarterback Caleb Williams (13) during the first half against the Oregon Ducks at Autzen Stadium.

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Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams orchestrated an 18-point comeback on Saturday night to defeat the Green Bay Packers in his playoff debut. His former USC Trojans coach Lincoln Riley reacted to Williams late-game heroics.

Jan 4, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) warms up before the game between the Chicago Bears and the Detroit Lions at Soldier Field.

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Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams pulled off a comeback win over the Green Bay Packers, giving the former USC Trojans star his first playoff win in the NFL.

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

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Former USC Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams had the biggest win of his young NFL career, leading the Chicago Bears to a 31-27 comeback win over the rival Green Bay Packers.

Sep 13, 2025; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Southern California Trojans wide receiver Ja'Kobi Lane (8) warms up on the field before the game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Ross-Ade Stadium.

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April's NFL Draft is still a long way away and USC Trojans receiver Ja'Kobi Lane is staying local in Southern California, training with former NFL receiver TJ Houshmandzadeh, ahead of taking part in the Panini Senior Bowl.

USC Trojans NFL Draft Receiver Makai Lemon Lincoln Riley Los Angeles Rams NFL Draft Puka Nacua Davante Adams Sean McVay

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USC Trojans wide receiver Makai Lemon is tabbed as one of the most valuable wide receivers in this year's NFL Draft class. In a recent mock Draft, Lemon's projected team happens to be in USC's backyard.

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) high fives fans after their game Saturday, December 20, 2025 at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. The Chicago Bears beat the Green Bay Packers 22-16 in overtime.

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Former USC Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams has been impressive in the NFL in year two, making history for the Chicago Bears.

Jan 4, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) warms up before the game between the Chicago Bears and the Detroit Lions at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

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Former USC quarterback Caleb Williams is in his second season with the Chicago Bears, and has been impressive through the season. Despite the Bears 19-16 loss to Detroit, Williams became the Bears newest single-season passing leader since 1995.

Jan 3, 2026; Santa Clara, California, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) reacts during the first half at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images

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Former USC Trojans quarterback Sam Darnold has made NFL history with the Seattle Seahawks, becoming one of only two quarterbacks to have back-to-back 14-plus win seasons, joining an all-time great.

Dec 14, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) celebrates after defeating the Cleveland Browns at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images

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Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams put on a show against the San Francisco 49ers. Despite the loss, the second-year signal-caller is starting to showcase the same potential that made him a standout at USC.

Oct 19, 2024; College Park, Maryland, USA; Southern California Trojans cornerback DeCarlos Nicholson (17) warms cup before the game against the Maryland Terrapins at SECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

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After declaring for the 2026 NFL Draft, USC cornerback DeCarlos Nicholson will play for the Trojans in the Alamo Bowl against the TCU Horned Frogs. Why did Nicholson choose to play for USC in the Alamo Bowl over preparing for the NFL Draft?

Sep 13, 2025; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Southern California Trojans wide receiver Makai Lemon (6) warms up before the game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Ross-Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images

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The USC Trojans have two of the best wide receivers prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft. Makai Lemon and Ja'Kobi Lane have a chance to make program history by becoming the first pair of wide receivers selected in the first round.

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) high fives fans after their game Saturday, December 20, 2025 at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. The Chicago Bears beat the Green Bay Packers 22-16 in overtime.

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Former USC Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams has punched his ticket to the playoffs with the Chicago Bears, the team's first trip to the postseason since 2020.

Nov 29, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley celebrates with fans after the game against the UCLA Bruins at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

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The Trojans are set to face TCU in the Alamo Bowl on Dec. 30 to close out the season. With the departure of starting players for the transfer portal and the NFL Draft, new faces are bound to step into larger roles, including safety Christian Pierce.

Nov 9, 2025; Berlin, Germany; Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (11) against the Atlanta Falcons during the NFL Berlin Game at Olympic Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

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Former USC wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. has been one of the most consistent pieces to the Indianapolis Colts offense. Recently, the Colts are in hot water. While Pittman is putting together a solid 2025 season, he believes the jobs not finished.

Sep 28, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley reacts after a game against the Wisconsin Badgers at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

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The USC Trojans are one of the top schools with the most NFL Pro Bowl selections this season. Where do the Trojans rank compared to the other top schools, and which former stars were selected for the Pro Bowl?

Nov 16, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) greets a Minnesota Vikings player following a game at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images

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Former USC Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams has helped engineer the Chicago Bears to an 11-4 record this season anFormer USC Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams has helped engineer the Chicago Bears to an 11-4 record this season and into the NFL Playoffs

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) high fives fans after their game Saturday, December 20, 2025 at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. The Chicago Bears beat the Green Bay Packers 22-16 in overtime.

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Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams had one of the best throws of the year with a game-winning touchdown pass to wide receiver DJ Moore against the Green Bay Packers. As the former USC Trojans star hits his stride, his NFL breakout feels inevitable.

Dec 14, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) participates in early pregame warmups against the Indianapolis Colts at Lumen Field.

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Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold led a comeback win over the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday Night Football, and the former USC Trojans star quarterback earned himself a shot at redemption in the NFL playoffs. Here's why Darnold is the biggest winner

Jul 24, 2025; Las Vegas, NV, USA; USC wide receiver Makai Lemon speaks to the media during the Big Ten NCAA college football media days at Mandalay Bay Resort. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Peltier-Imagn Images

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USC Trojans wide receiver Makai Lemon announced that he would be forgoing his final year of eligiblilty at USC and declaring for the 2026 NFL Draft. Where do draft projections have the 2025 Biletnikoff Award being selected?

Oct 18, 2025; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Southern California Trojans wide receiver Tanook Hines (16) runs the ball against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the first half at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael Caterina-Imagn Images

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Wide receiver Tanook Hines was one of the most impressive freshman on USC's roster this season, proving his strength and talent as the Trojans third receiver on the depth chart. Now with Makai Lemon and Ja'Kobi Lane heading to the NFL, Hines has a clear s

Dec 7, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn looks on before the game against the Miami Dolphins at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

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Entering NFL Draft season, the USC Trojans have announced select players will declare for the 2026 NFL Draft. For wide receiver Makai Lemon, who has not announced his plans, a new mock draft could make him an immediate impact player on the East Coast.

Sep 13, 2025; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Southern California Trojans wide receiver Makai Lemon (6) warms up before the game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Ross-Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images

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USC Trojans star wide receiver Makai Lemon, in addition to winning the Biletnikoff Award, was named the 2025 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year. Lemon isn't the first Trojan player to earn the honor. Who are the others?