USC’s pipeline to the NFL is already showing up on 53-man rosters.
When teams locked in their final cuts ahead of the Aug. 30 deadline, three rookies drafted out of USC made the grade: Philadelphia receiver Makai Lemon, Baltimore receiver Ja’Kobi Lane, and Houston defensive back Kamari Ramsey.
That keeps the Trojans spread across 21 different NFL teams, which means roughly two-thirds of the league has at least one former USC player in the building. Houston leads the way with four ex-Trojans, while Seattle - the defending Super Bowl champions - has three.
Wide receiver remains USC’s calling card at the pro level. That’s no surprise with Detroit’s Amon-Ra St.
Brown driving the Lions’ offense and Atlanta’s Drake London standing among the league’s top pass-catchers. USC also has five former linebackers and four former offensive linemen currently in the NFL.
Not everyone survived the roster crunch. Four former Trojans were waived after signing as undrafted free agents before the 2026 regular season.
The lone undrafted USC player to crack a final 53-man roster was Titans safety Bishop Fitzgerald.
Back in Los Angeles, USC has opened the season 1-0 after beating San José State, and the true freshmen made a strong first impression in their debut at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Tight end Mark Bowman, defensive end Luke Wafle and wide receiver Trent Mosley are already being talked about as future NFL prospects.
The Trojans’ pro pipeline may not stop there, either. Defensive linemen Jide Abasiri, Alex VanSumeren, Kameryn Crawford, Braylan Shelby and Zuriah Fisher could work their way into the 2027 NFL Draft.
On the offensive line, veterans Tobias Raymond and Alani Noa are names to keep in mind. Quarterback Jayden Maiava and running back Waymond Jordan are also viewed as NFL prospects.
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For a team that has spent the summer sorting out young talent at the margins, the real tension is which of those cut players make it back to Baltimore once waivers clear, and which ones are gone for good. Several names are considered legitimate claim risks, while the Ravens are also lining up possible practice squad additions if the board breaks their way. [Read more 🡒]
Ravens Just Turned Tyler Loops Job Into A Real Battle
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Ravens 53-Man Roster Leaves Two Big Week 1 Questions Open
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What stands out is how much of the roster picture still feels unfinished even after the official cutdown. The Ravens also held onto undrafted rookies Joe Fagnano and Ethan Burke, a reminder that the team is still willing to bet on upside while trimming other hopefuls loose. For a roster built to contend right away, the real question now is not just who survived the first wave of decisions, but which of these early moves will matter once Week 1 arrives and the game-day health report starts to shape the lineup. [Read more 🡒]