USC Football: 2021 #USCtotheNFL Season Preview
The 2021-22 NFL season kicks off tonight, and 31 Trojans are in the running for the Lombardi Trophy.
As of opening night, there are 20 Trojans on active rosters, eight on practice squads, two on injured reserve and one on the reserve/COVID-19 list.
The Trojans are best represented at three positions: wide receiver (6), offensive line (6) and defensive line (6).
The most experienced Trojan in the league is defensive end Everson Griffen, who is heading into his 12th NFL season. He spent the first decade of his career with the Vikings, and after splitting 2020 between the Cowboys and the Lions, he's back in Minnesota.
While Griffen is heading into Year No. 12, seven Trojans are entering their first NFL season: OL Alijah Vera-Tucker (Jets), S Talanoa Hufanga (49ers), WR Amon-Ra St. Brown (Lions), DT Marlon Tuipulotu (Eagles), DT Jay Tufele (Jaguars), CB Olaijah Griffin (Bills practice squad) and WR Tyler Vaughns (Steelers practice squad).
Two teams boast three Trojans each: the Pittsburgh Steelers (Vaughns, WR JuJu Smith-Schuster, OT Zach Banner) and the Indianapolis Colts (WR Michael Pittman Jr., DT Antwaun Woods, CB Marvell Tell III).
Multiple Trojans made offseason moves and will debut with a new team in 2021. Quarterback Sam Darnold is now on the Carolina Panthers after three seasons with the Jets. Cornerback Adoree' Jackson went from the Titans to the New York Giants, where he joins Pro Bowl DL Leonard Williams. Super Bowl Champion WR Nelson Agholor went from the Las Vegas Raiders to the New England Patriots.
Tonight, the first game of the NFL season will feature two Trojans: running back Ronald Jones II, who's coming off a Super Bowl with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and perennial Pro Bowl OT Tyron Smith, who's going into his 11th season with the Dallas Cowboys.
Here is a full #USCtotheNFL list as of Sept. 9, 2021:
| NAME | POSITION | YEARS AT USC |
|---|---|---|
| ARIZONA CARDINALS | ||
| Devon Kennard | Outside Linebacker | 2009-13 |
| BALTIMORE RAVENS | ||
| Iman Marshall (+) | Cornerback | 2015-18 |
| BUFFALO BILLS | ||
| Olaijah Grffin (P) | Cornerback | 2018-20 |
| CAROLINA PANTHERS | ||
| Sam Darnold | Quarterback | 2015-17 |
| CLEVELAND BROWNS | ||
| Porter Gustin (P) | Defensive End | 2015-18 |
| Malcolm Smith^ | Linebacker | 2007-10 |
| DALLAS COWBOYS | ||
| Tyron Smith* | Offensive Tackle | 2008-10 |
| DETROIT LIONS | ||
| Nickell Robey-Coleman | Cornerback | 2010-12 |
| Amon-Ra St. Brown | Wide Receiver | 2018-20 |
| INDIANAPOLIS COLTS | ||
| Michael Pittman Jr. | Wide Receiver | 2016-19 |
| Marvell Tell III (P) | Safety | 2015-18 |
| Antwaun Woods (P) | Defensive Tackle | 2011-15 |
| JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS | ||
| Jay Tufele | Defensive Tackle | 2017-19 |
| LOS ANGELES CHARGERS | ||
| Uchenna Nwosu | Linebacker | 2014-17 |
| LOS ANGELES RAMS | ||
| Robert Woods | Wide Receiver | 2010-12 |
| MIAMI DOLPHINS | ||
| Austin Jackson | Offensive Tackle | 2017-19 |
| MINNESOTA VIKINGS | ||
| Everson Griffen* | Defensive End | 2007-09 |
| NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS | ||
| Nelson Agholor | Wide Receiver | 2012-14 |
| NEW YORK GIANTS | ||
| Adoree' Jackson | Cornerback | 2014-16 |
| Leonard Williams* | Defensive End | 2012-14 |
| NEW YORK JETS | ||
| Chuma Edoga | Offensive Tackle | 2015-18 |
| Alijah Vera-Tucker | Offensive Guard | 2017-20 |
| PHILADELPHIA EAGLES | ||
| Marlon Tuipulotu | Defensive Tackle | 2017-20 |
| PITTSBURGH STEELERS | ||
| Zach Banner (+) | Offensive Tackle | 2013-16 |
| JuJu Smith-Schuster* | Wide Receiver | 2014-16 |
| Tyler Vaughns (P) | Wide Receiver | 2016-20 |
| SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS | ||
| Talanoa Hufanga | Safety | 2018-20 |
| SEATTLE SEAHAWKS | ||
| Rasheem Green | Defensive End | 2015-17 |
| Jordan Simmons (P) | Guard | 2012-16 |
| TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS | ||
| Ronald Jones II^ | Running Back | 2015-17 |
| TENNESSEE TITANS | ||
| Matt Barkley (P) | Quarterback | 2009-12 |
* - has at least one Pro Bowl selection
^ - Super Bowl Champion
(+) - Injured Reserve
(P) - Practice Squad
(O) - Opt-Out