USC Trojans NFL Draft Legacy: From Ron Yary to Makai Lemon

The upcoming 2026 NFL Draft is anticipated to see USC Trojans wide receiver Makai Lemon being chosen in the first round, adding to the rich history of USC players in the NFL Draft. Throughout the years, the Trojans have had six players selected as the No. 1 overall pick, with the first being offensive tackle Ron Yary, who went on to have a successful career and was eventually inducted into the Hall of Fame. Following Yary, former USC running back O.J. Simpson and running back Ricky Bell were also selected as the top picks in their respective drafts.

Wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson was the fourth Trojan to be chosen as the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft, followed by quarterback Carson Palmer in 2003, breaking the trend of no USC quarterbacks being selected at the top. Caleb Williams became the next USC quarterback to be drafted No. 1 overall in 2024 by the Chicago Bears, showcasing his skills and potential in the league. Williams has already led the Bears to the playoffs and is poised to become one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL with further development.

The shift in positional value in football, particularly the increasing importance of quarterbacks, has been evident in the NFL and college game. USC's Lincoln Riley, known for his expertise in developing quarterbacks, has coached three No. 1 overall picks at the quarterback position, including Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray, and Caleb Williams. Looking ahead, USC quarterback Jayden Maiava has shown steady improvement and aims to be among the top quarterbacks in the 2027 NFL Draft with Riley's guidance and track record. Maiava has the potential to make a significant impact in the upcoming draft and continue USC's legacy of producing top NFL talent.