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

TROJANS IN THE PROS

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

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.

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.

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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?

Sep 6, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans quarterback Jayden Maiava (14) warms up prior to the game against the Georgia Southern Eagles at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

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Before the USC Trojans play in the Alamo Bowl, quarterback Jayden Maiava has made a decision on his future. The Trojans quarterback could have entered the 2026 NFL Draft, but the program has announced that they have re-signed Maiava.

Oct 11, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans wide receiver Ja'Kobi Lane (8) celebrates after a touchdown in the first half against the Michigan Wolverines at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

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The USC Trojans saw one of their top wide receivers in Ja'Kobi Lane announce his declaration for the 2026 NFL Draft on Monday. Lane has flashed the talent and had the production to earn his status as one of the top wide receiver prospects in the draft

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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As the USC Trojans prepare to close out the season on Dec. 30 against the TCU Horned Frogs, coach Lincoln Riley revealed a list of players that will not play in the bowl game because of the NFL Draft and injuries.

Oct 11, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans quarterback Jayden Maiava (14) warms up prior to the game against the Michigan Wolverines at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

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South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback LaNorris Sellers staying in college reshapes the conversation for USC Trojans quarterback Jayden Maiava, whose career year raises a difficult choice between NFL uncertainty and name, image, and likeness (NIL) leverage.

Jul 24, 2025; Las Vegas, NV, USA; USC safety Kamari Ramsey 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 defensive back Kamari Ramsey announced on Monday that he will be declaring for the 2026 NFL Draft. Ramsey has been a key contributor to USC's defense the last two seasons. What does his departure mean for the future of the Trojans' secondary?

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

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After a two-touchdown performance with a slew of incredible individual plays, former USC Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams led the Chicago Bears to an impressive 31-3 victory. After the game, he was likened to MVP quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

Sep 13, 2025; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; USC Trojans wide receiver Ja'Kobi Lane (8) celebrates a first down during the second half against the Purdue Boilermakers at Ross-Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images

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With the USC Trojans' bowl game against the TCU Horned Frogs coming up on Dec. 30, junior wide receiver Ja'Kobi Lane is in the process of deciding whether or not to enter the NFL Draft or returning to Southern Cal for one more season.

Nov 16, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) during warmups against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field.

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USC Trojans wide receiver Makai Lemon, the 2025 receipient of the Biletnikoff Award, became the second Trojan to take home the honor. Following the news of Lemon's Award win, Detroit Lions Amon-Ra St. Brown gave Lemon a special message.

Nov 7, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley meets with wife Caitlin and daughers Sloan and Stella following the victory against the Northwestern Wildcats at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

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The No. 16 USC Trojans have officially wrapped their regular season and now enter bowl season facing the TCU Horned Frogs in the Alamo Bowl. Before their bowl competition, USC stars have earned end of the season honors. One consistent name is Makai Lemon.

Nov 28, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) reacts to a win against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

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Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams will face Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders in a rematch of a classic 2023 matchup from their college days. The key factor could be Williams' success on game-winning drives, which was on full dis

Nov 28, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) looks on during warmups prior to the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field.

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Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams has shown growth in his second season in the NFL, but there is always room for improvement for the former USC Trojans star. What do Chicago coach Ben Johnson's quotes about Williams say about his development?