Two Trojans Take Talents to NFL
Both defensive lineman Leonard Williams and wide receiver Nelson Agholor are Trojans no more. With the No. 6 pick of the 2015 NFL Draft, the New York Jets selected the former USC captain. Williams became the Trojans 484th player to be drafted to the NFL and the 78th player drafted in the first round. The NFL was not finished with USC's talent just yet, as the Philadelphia Eagles selected Agholor with the 20th overall pick.
Despite being one of the best players to declare for the draft this year, Williams was snubbed from the top five picks.
Still, “The Big Cat” is set to make an immediate impact for the Jets. In Williams, the team gains a game-changing defensive lineman with a physicality and versatility that is rare in a lineman of his size.
In his three seasons at USC, Williams had 218 tackles, including 36.5 for losses and 21 sacks. The former Trojan captain was an All-American and two time Pac-12 first teamer.
Now, Williams will take his talents far from his former home at USC, to the other side of the country, in New York.
In heading to Philadelphia, a team that lost its biggest receiver threat in Jeremy Maclin over the offseason, Agholor will be joining former teammate Matt Barkley, and Pac-12 coach Chip Kelly. In his Junior season at USC, Agholor had 104 catches for 1,313 yards and 12 touchdowns in 13 games. He also holds a USC record four punt-return touchdowns in his three season career.
The PAC-12 tied for the most first round draft picks by any conference with nine.