With The First Pick
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USC vs. UCLA: 5 2020 NFL Draft Prospects to watch

By Joseph Yun

PASADENA, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 17: Michael Pittman Jr. #6 of the USC Trojans makes a catch in front of Nate Meadors #22 of the UCLA Bruins during the third quarter in a 34-27 UCLA win at Rose Bowl on November 17, 2018 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 17: Michael Pittman Jr. #6 of the USC Trojans makes a catch in front of Nate Meadors #22 of the UCLA Bruins during the third quarter in a 34-27 UCLA win at Rose Bowl on November 17, 2018 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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TEMPE, ARIZONA – NOVEMBER 09: Defensive lineman Christian Rector #89 of the USC Trojans in action during the NCAAF game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Sun Devil Stadium on November 09, 2019 in Tempe, Arizona. The Trojans defeated the Sun Devils 31-26. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
TEMPE, ARIZONA – NOVEMBER 09: Defensive lineman Christian Rector #89 of the USC Trojans in action during the NCAAF game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Sun Devil Stadium on November 09, 2019 in Tempe, Arizona. The Trojans defeated the Sun Devils 31-26. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

89

Christian Rector EDGE

USC Trojans Football
USC Trojans Football /

Scouting Report

Rector has the H/W/L (height /weight/length) that NFL teams will crave at the next level. The medical will be the key for him as he’s been banged up a bit this season, missing a couple of games. Short area burst is something to monitor. He’s been a run defense monster, however.

Projects primarily as a two-down run stopper with some potential for more as a pass rusher at the next level. He needs to go to a team that specializes in refining pass rush skillsets in order for him to stick to a roster.

Has mediocre production with a line of 16 tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack, and one interception.

73

Austin Jackson OT

USC Trojans Football
USC Trojans Football /

Scouting Report

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The former five-star recruit has been rounding into form as the end of the season draws to a close. He missed most of fall camp due to recovery from donating a kidney to his ailing sister.

Speaking of NFL teams craving H/W/L, he definitely has that in spades. He can move laterally as well as fight in the phone booth. However, there are times when he fires too upright out of his stance, immediately giving up leverage to the pass rusher. More on this subject later on the top prospect to watch but the scheme doesn’t help him much. The Oregon game didn’t help him much (then again, it didn’t help anyone else in cardinal and gold much either.)

If he declares as a true junior, expect him to dominate the Combine in the footwork drills such as the rabbit and long mirror drills. It will be interesting to see if he can translate to guard due to body size.

6

Michael Pittman WR

USC Trojans Football
USC Trojans Football /

Scouting Report

Pittman has been an ultra productive receiver for the Trojans despite the incoherent mess that is the USC offensive philosophy and personnel. He has 82 receptions for 1,182 yards and nine touchdowns on the year.

Next. Oklahoma vs. TCU: Five 2020 NFL Draft prospects to watch. dark

He’s a master at the jump ball with somewhat of a limited athletic profile. Physicality is the name of his game in both the run and pass game. Not a guy you would want running full go on 9 routes but has enough physicality to separate on short to intermediate routes. Ball skills are on point. He has accepted an invite to the Senior Bowl.

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