Advertisement
football Edit

Recapping the final day of the NFL draft for the Trojans

It was a quiet final day of the NFL draft for USC's interests.

Only one player was selected over the final four rounds Saturday, as running back Keaontay Ingram was drafted in the sixth round, No. 201 overall, by the Arizona Cardinals.

That meant just three draftees overall for the Trojans, following wide receiver Drake London at No. 8 overall to the Atlanta Falcons in the first round and edge rusher Drake Jackson in the second round (No. 61 overall) to the San Francisco 49ers.

It marks USC's second smallest draft class since also having three players selected in 2014, but ahead of the two-player draft class in 2020.

Advertisement

Ingram only spent one season with the Trojans, but he became a fan favorite while rushing for 911 yards and 5 touchdowns over 10 games, averaging a robust 5.8 yards per carry after transferring in from Texas.

He's the first Trojans running back drafted since Ronald Jones II in 2018.

There would seem to be an opportunity for Ingram to win a role with the Cardinals, who were led last season by declining veteran James Conner (752 yards and 15 touchdowns but just 3.7 yards per carry), Chase Edmonds (592 yards, 2 TDs and 5.1 YPC) and Eno Benjamin (118 yards, 1 TD, 3.5 YPC). Edmonds is now with the Miami Dolphins, leaving Conner, Benjamin and Jonathan Ward as the other RBs still on the roster.

The Trojans also have had several players sign undrafted free agent deals, giving them an opportunity to compete for a roster spot. Those are:

-CB Isaac Taylor-Stuart -- Dallas Cowboys

-CB Chris Steele -- Pittsburgh Steelers

-S Isaiah Pola-Mao -- Las Vegas Raiders

-LB Kana'i Mauga -- Denver Broncos

-TE Erik Krommenhoek -- Los Angeles Chargers

-OT Jalen McKenzie -- Tennessee Titans

Advertisement