Even though USC did not have the greatest season record-wise, they will still be sending a number of prospects to the 2022 NFL Draft, including potential first-round wide receiver Drake London. Here are the scouting reports for every USC player who could hear their name called during the 2022 NFL Draft.
USC 2022 NFL Draft Scouting Reports
The USC scouting reports include some high-profile players who could sneak into round 1, as well as some later-round prospects.
Chris Steele, CB
Positives: Tall, athletic cornerback who jams receivers at the line to slow their release, quickly flips his hips in transition, and possesses a closing burst. Remains disciplined with coverage assignments, possesses excellent length, and gives effort against the run. Aggressive in all aspects of his game.
Negatives: Unpolished. Hesitates in transition with opponents off the line. Stiff, gets turned, and loses receivers out of routes.
Analysis: Steele is a tall, athletic defensive back prospect who needs a lot of polish on his game. He presently fits as a zone corner, yet Steele must polish his skills to make a next-level roster.
Drake Jackson, DE
Positives: Versatile defensive front-seven player who can come out of a three-point stance and stand over tackle. Breaks down well, plays with proper pad level, and effectively uses his hands to protect himself. Quick in all aspects of his game, easily changes direction, and chases the action hard.
Fires off the snap, can bend off the edge, and quickly closes to plays. Covers a good amount of area on the field, shows ability in pursuit, and makes a lot of plays in space. Remains disciplined with assignments and wraps up tackling.
Negatives: Lacks bulk and gets controlled at the point or easily knocked from his angle of attack by a single blocker. Not smooth dropping off the line into space. Long speed is a concern.
Analysis: Jackson is an instinctive, disciplined defensive front-seven prospect with a variety of skills. In many ways, he reminds me of a better version of former Trojan Devon Kennard, an eight-year veteran now playing with the Cardinals.
Want more information on Jackson? Here’s our expanded scouting report and draft profile: Drake Jackson, USC DE | NFL Draft Scouting Report
Drake London, WR
Positives: Tall, game-controlling receiver with dependable hands. Has a smooth and fluid style, uses his frame to shield away defenders, and consistently comes away with the contested grab. Uses his hands to separate from defenders, sells routes, and quickly gets into breaks. Extends to snatch the ball out of the air and possesses soft, natural pass-catching hands.
Tracks the pass in the air, gets vertical, and high-points the ball over defenders. Plays with balance as well as body control, possesses outstanding eye/hand coordination, and makes the reception in stride. Smart, knows where he is on the field, and plays like a good athlete. Possesses a sense of timing, comes back to the ball to make himself an available target, and gives effort after the catch. Stout, wins out in a crowd, and is tough to bring down after the reception.
Negatives: Had a limited route tree at USC. Shows average quickness in his overall game. Lacks a burst and deep speed.
Analysis: London was a terrific receiver for USC the past three seasons and is a natural pass catcher who projects well to the next level. He’s more advanced than most big-bodied college wideouts who rely on size and strength to win out for contested throws.
London is fluid and very smooth. I still believe he would struggle in a timing offense or a scheme that asks receivers to separate through routes, but London can be a Day 1 starter on Sundays in the proper offensive system.
Want more information on London? Here’s our expanded scouting report and draft profile: Drake London, USC WR | NFL Draft Scouting Report
Erik Krommenhoek, TE
Positives: Tall, consistent college tight end who lacks much upside. Displays outstanding blocking vision, knocks pass rushers from their angles of attack, and plays with proper knee bend. Keeps his head on a swivel, stays square, and always looks for someone to hit. Fluid releasing off the line of scrimmage, uses his hands to separate from defenders, and extends to make the reception away from his frame. Sturdy and takes a big hit, yet holds onto the throw.
Negatives: Struggles finishing blocks and gets handled by explosive linebackers. Only effective a few yards from the line of scrimmage as a pass catcher.
Analysis: Krommenhoek is a lineman-sized tight end who must fill out his frame and improve his playing strength to make a next-level roster.
Isaac Taylor-Stuart, CB
Positives: Underrated defensive back who showed a lot of ability and potential last season. Quick pedaling in reverse, fluid flipping his hips, and has a closing burst. Diagnoses plays, battles receivers throughout the route, and works to get his head back around to locate the pass. Shows good hands for the interception. Gives effort against the run and fires upfield.
Negatives: Must improve his balance moving in reverse. Not a stout tackler. Marginally productive on the college level.
Analysis: Taylor-Stuart is a tall, athletic corner who showed plenty of ability. He comes with a large upside and is worth considering in the late rounds and stashing on a roster as a ninth defensive back/special-teams player.
Isaiah Pola-Mao, S
Positives: Fierce, hard-hitting safety who is best against the run. Breaks down well, fires up the field, and defeats blocks to get to the action. Tracks down ball handlers in the open field, wraps up, and makes the tackle in space. Displays solid range and gets out to the flanks to make plays. Plays big, aggressive football.
Negatives: Possesses marginal ball skills. Slow out of his transition, loses a half-step turning to run with opponents, and constantly trails in coverage. Does not time his pass defenses well.
Analysis: Graded as a draftable prospect coming into the 2021 season, Pola-Mao was disappointing last year and looked like nothing more than a run-defending safety. After previously showing a lot of skill at the position, Pola-Mao comes with a nice upside but must pick up where he left off in 2020.
Jalen McKenzie, OT
Positives: Hard-working college right tackle who may be better inside at guard. Works to bend his knees, consistently blocks with leverage, and stays square. Strong, works his hands throughout plays, and rides defenders from their angles of attack. Anchors in pass protection, keeps his head on a swivel, and displays blocking vision.
Negatives: Lacks footwork off the edge and lateral blocking range. Must make better use of angles. Struggles to adjust and isn’t a great athlete.
Analysis: McKenzie was a consistent blocker for USC, yet he’s a one-dimensional power-gap blocker who may struggle to be a backup on Sundays.
Kana’i Mauga, LB
Positives: Explosive sideline-to-sideline defender who breaks down well, uses his hands to protect himself, and displays speed in pursuit. Quickly gets out to the flanks, covers a tremendous amount of area, and wraps up tackling. Smooth moving around the field, easily changes direction, and gets depth on pass drops. Athletic, explosive, and redirects to ball handlers.
Negatives: Constantly misreads plays and was caught biting on ball fakes last season. Gets caught up in the trash and easily blocked from his angle of attack.
Analysis: Mauga showed a lot of next-level ability on the 2020 film, yet he failed to improve last season. He displayed a lot of lapses on the field and made up for mistakes with speed. Mauga comes with an upside, but it may be a situation where he must play in a simplified defense.
Want more information on Mauga? Here’s our expanded scouting report and draft profile: Kana’i Mauga, USC LB | NFL Draft Scouting Report
Keaontay Ingram, RB
Positives: One-time Texas phenom who resurrected his career at USC last season. Quick-footed ball carrier who is patient, displays great vision, and makes defenders miss in a small area. Has a burst through the hole, runs with authority, and breaks tackles to pick up yardage off initial contact. Fluid cutting back against the grain, does not lose momentum changing direction, and strings several moves together over the course of a single run.
Runs with good lean and behind his pads, plays with terrific balance, and possesses an outstanding stutter step that has defenders grasping at air. Slides off defenders, consistently keeps the play in bounds, and works to pick up yardage whenever the ball is in his hands. Outstanding pass catcher who possesses soft hands and snatches the ball out of the air.
Negatives: Lacks the speed to run to daylight. Marginally effective turning the corner and isn’t a perimeter ball carrier.
Analysis: Ingram looked like the next franchise running back early in his career at Texas before watching his role with the Longhorns reduced. He revived his career at USC last season and looked like the total package, effectively carrying the ball and catching it out of the backfield. Ingram is underrated moving towards the draft, as scouts question his consistency. If Ingram builds off his 2021 season, he will be a major Day 3 steal.
Liam Jimmons, OL
Positives: Strong, small-area blocker who is best in the running game. Displays outstanding vision as well as awareness, blocks with good lean, and moves defenders off the line. Keeps his head on a swivel, works well with linemates, and plays with a nasty attitude. Holds his ground, gives great effort, and looks to hit as many defenders as possible each snap.
Negatives: Lacks footwork in space. Ineffective blocking in motion and cannot adjust to hit a moving target. Lumbers around the field.
Analysis: Jimmons possesses the size and style for a power-gap system, though he comes with limited upside.
Vavae Malepeai, RB
Positives: Underrated ball carrier with a versatile game. Finds the running lanes, turns it upfield, and breaks multiple tackles to pick up yardage off initial contact. Displays a burst of speed, plays faster than his 40 time, and quickly gets out of the backfield into pass routes. Solid pass catcher who displays the ability to adjust to errant throws and make receptions in stride. Terrific blocker who keeps his head on a swivel and attacks assignments.
Negatives: Lacks the speed to beat defenders into the open field. Not a creative ball carrier or multi-cut runner. Was never the feature runner for USC and was primarily the backup to the No. 1 ball handler.
Analysis: Malepeai played a supporting role for a variety of running backs at USC, but he has skills that translate well to the next level. He’s a bigger ball carrier who is effective as a pass catcher out of the backfield and as a blocker. Though Malepeai won’t be selected in the draft, I expect him to compete for a roster spot this summer.