On a night when no USC players were expected to hear their names called in the NFL draft, Jaylin Smith’s phone rang.
The Trojans cornerback was selected by the Houston Texans with the 33rd pick of the third round Friday night.
USC had its streak of five consecutive drafts with a first-round pick end on Thursday night, and the second and third rounds weren’t predicted to yield any Trojans draftees in most mock drafts. The last time a USC player wasn’t drafted in the first three rounds was in 2001, when linebacker Markus Steele went in the fourth round to the Dallas Cowboys.
Six picks before the third round ended, the Texans selected Smith 97th overall as the 14th cornerback to come off the board.
The 5-foot-11, 190-pounder, who starred at Alemany High, was an All-Big Ten third-team selection after finishing his senior season with 59 tackles, two interceptions and two pass breakups.
In addition to cornerback, Smith also lined up at safety and as a nickel corner in his four years as a Trojan. He made 32 starts and played in 43 games. He had 182 tackles, including 12½ for a loss, with three interceptions, two sacks, five pass breakups, and two forced fumbles.
“I’m a super versatile player,” Smith told reporters on Friday night. “I can play any position at a very high level. I can also do a lot on special teams and just bring a lot of energy.”
Smith will be reunited with former USC teammate Calen Bullock. The safety was drafted in the third round by the Texans last year.
Saturday, with the fourth through seventh rounds, will be the final day of the draft (9 a.m. PT, ABC/Ch. 7, ESPN, NFL Network). Among the Trojans hoping to hear their names called are offensive lineman Jonah Monheim, running back Woody Marks, safety Akili Arnold defensive back Jacobe Covington and linebacker Mason Cobb.
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