Both the Trojans and Bruins have some hot commodities that teams would love to add. They all have specific skills that could fill the needs of any team. The question is – when will they be drafted?
With the NFL Draft rapidly approaching, both the USC Trojans and the UCLA Bruins will see their best players get an opportunity to impact a professional football team.
This is the moment any football player dreams of, to play in the NFL. The following players for the Trojans and Bruins won’t just be drafted but will have a big role for their respective teams.
USC Draft Prospects
1. Marqise Lee – Wide Receiver, No. 9 Buffalo Bills
The highly athletic receiver is being regarded as one of the best wide receivers in this year’s draft. There is no doubt that whatever team is drafting Lee, they are getting a dynamic player who can immediately impact any team’s offense. He is one of those players that can get a huge offensive yardage on few catches.
Although he wasn’t healthy this last season with USC, Lee is a player teams have to account for in their game plans. He has the potential to be a top receiver in the league some day, but as a rookie Lee will be an ideal No. 2 option for teams on the playoff bubble.
Prediction: Lee will give EJ Manual another solid receiving option and re-unite with his friend and old teammate Robert Woods.
2. Dion Bailey – Safety, No. 22 Philadelphia Eagles
Bailey was the captain of the USC defense this year and led the team with 61 tackles and five interceptions. A former Pac-12 Defensive Freshman of the Year, Bailey was one of the main reasons the Trojans defense turned things around after they had an awful 2012 season. It looks like he is following in the footsteps of former cornerback Nickell Robey, who bolted before his senior season and declared for the pros.
There are many teams who could use help in their secondary and Bailey could help one of those teams right away. He could be considered one of the top safeties in this upcoming draft that many teams won’t pass on.
Prediction: This may be a little high for him, but the Eagles need desperate help at the safety position and Bailey could plug the hole for them.
3. Marcus Martin – Center, No. 45 Detroit Lions
Martin was known as the soul of USC’s offensive line this year after being mentored by former centers Matt Kalil and Khaled Holmes. Like Bailey, the CrenshawHigh School product is forgoing his senior season. He helped the O-line become one of the best in the Pac-12, providing quarterback Cody Kessler the pass protection he needed to get the Trojans offense rolling.
Martin figures to be drafted in the late first round or early second round, because the value of a good center is pivotal to an offensive line and the quarterback.
Prediction: Their center will be 35 years old going into next season and this could be a way for Martin to be mentored from a solid veteran with years of NFL experience.
4. Xavier Grimble – Tight End, No. 85 Green Bay Packers
Grimble, 21, becomes another junior who will forgo his senior season. He was hampered by injuries during the regular season like many of the other starters, but was always a reliable option in the red-zone for USC. He finished his college career with 69 receptions and five touchdowns.
At 6-foot-5-inches and 250 pounds, Grimble has great size at the position and proved to have good hands for the Trojans. He may be taken in the later rounds, but could be starting within a few years.
Prediction: With Jermichael Finley suffering a serious spine and neck injury last year, Grimble could fill a void at that position for the Packers and maybe even make some starts for them next season.
5. George Uko – Defensive lineman, No. 47 Dallas Cowboys
Uko was a part of the physical interior defensive line for USC this year. His 2013 season was terrific for the Trojans with 36 tackles, seven for losses and five sacks. He had 11.5 sacks for his career and 85 tackles. Uko also made All Pac-12 honorable mention for the second straight year.
Uko would be a great addition to any team’s D-line. It would not be surprising to see him get drafted in the second round to a team thirsting for some defensive help.
Prediction: The Cowboys need much help throughout their defense and drafting someone like Uko could pay some immediate dividends for them.
UCLA Draft Prospects
1. Anthony Barr – Linebacker, No. 7 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
It was a brilliant season for Barr, who led the UCLA defense with 10 sacks, 62 tackles and forcing five fumbles. He was a consensus All-American, was named to the All Pac-12 First Team, and won the Lott IMPACT Award. In his college career, Barr will best be remembered for the brutal hit he delivered to USC quarterback Matt Barkley in last year’s rivalry game that led to a sprained shoulder for Barkley.
Barr is being acknowledged as the second best linebacker in the draft behind Jadeveon Clowney and figures to boost any team’s sacks with him on their roster.
Prediction: Barr will fit right in to Lovie Smith’s defensive system and could turn him in to the next Brian Urlacher. The Bucs will definitely have a defensive star in the making with Barr.
2. Xavier Su’a-Filo – Offensive Lineman, No. 20 Arizona Cardinals
Su’a-Filo started all 13 games for the Bruins this season and was named a team captain. He earned the team’s most valuable player honors for playing both tackle and guard for UCLA. Su’a-Filo was also named to the All Pac-12 first team for the second time and was a winner of the Morris Trophy, for best offensive lineman in the Pac-12.
Su’a-Filo provides help at the most underrated yet integral position in football, which should make him a valuable commodity in the draft.
Predicition: The Cards need some O-line help among other things. Su’a-Filo should help them right away if they decide to draft an offensive lineman with their first round pick.
3. Shaquelle Evans – Wide Receiver, No. 49 New York Jets
Evans has sometimes been deemed the Marqise Lee of UCLA by college football analysts. He is a very athletic and talented receiver and was one of Brett Hundley’s top options to throw to the past two seasons. Evans did not post eye-popping numbers this year with 709 receiving yards and nine touchdowns on 47 receptions, but he is an NFL-ready receiver.
He may not be Lee, but Evans has great size at 6-foot-1 and 211 pounds and has the capability and willingness to make big plays on the field.
Prediction: The Jets need help offensively and must surround quarterback Geno Smith with quality receivers and Evans could be one of them.
4. Jordan Zumwalt – Linebacker, No. 74 New York Giants
Zumwalt had a good season leading the Bruins in tackles with 81, but really shined in UCLA’s Sun Bowl victory against Virginia Tech. He had 10 tackles, a 43-yard interception return and delivered the hit on Hokies quarterback Logan Thomas to knock him out of the game. Zumwalt shared game MVP honors with quarterback Hundley.
Although he won’t be a top-10 pick like Barr, Zumwalt is another of those guys who can impact a defense and provide tremendous pass-rushing, which is always helpful to an NFL team.
Prediction: The Giants need a pass rusher and Zumwalt could be a good complement to Jason Pierre-Paul and Justin Tuck. If all goes well, he could get Giants fans to completely forget about Osi Umenyiora.
These are just predictions; there is no way of really knowing who a team will pick until the NFL draft happens this spring. One thing is for sure, any team that drafts these players will be adding some great talent to their squads.
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