Here's the latest intel on the 10 Trojans who are considering turning pro:
SAM DARNOLD
What we know: plans to consult with Helton, Swann, family, NFL players, former Trojans in the following days; hasn’t met with agents all year
What we’re hearing: leaning toward the draft and could make a decision in the next week
Projection: turns pro
UPDATED: Declared for draft Jan. 3.
RONALD JONES
What we know: is awaiting draft eval and that grade will play a big factor
What we’re hearing: heavily leaning toward leaving
Projection: turns pro
UPDATED: Declared for draft Jan. 5
DEONTAY BURNETT
What we know: hasn’t strongly considered possibility until recently; doesn’t plan to decide immediately; would be playing with a new quarterback
What we’re hearing: was alarmed by lack of involvement in Pac-12 title game; emergence of Vaughns, Pittman has spurred him to give NFL serious thought; stock is rising; would like another year of production on his resume in case he doesn’t stand out at combine
Projection: turns pro
UPDATED: Declared for draft Jan. 8
TOA LOBENDAHN
What we know: isn’t in a rush to decide but has been thinking about it for some time
What we’re hearing: is torn because a) it isn’t clear whether he’ll be drafted at all right now, b) his most likely pro position is center but has limited film there, and c) has battled injuries the past three years, so he sees coming back as a big health risk
Projection: returns
UPDATED: Confirmed he’s returning Jan. 10
CHUMA EDOGA
What we know: said he’ll return immediately following Cotton Bowl
What we’re hearing: members of program expect him to come back but also find him unpredictable
Projection: returns
UPDATED: Did not declare for draft by Jan. 15 deadline.
RASHEEM GREEN
What we know: said he’s still deciding; Kenechi Udeze advising him to return
What we’re hearing: having a strong season despite playing through injuries most of the year has him strongly leaning toward the NFL; has not registered for spring semester classes
Projection: turns pro
UPDATED: Declared for draft Jan. 13
CAM SMITH
What we know: said he’s still deciding
What we’re hearing: has been weighing it all year; close friend and roommate Darnold leaving is a factor; knows he will be drafted but is aware of struggles in space and wants to improve there; told teammates he was returning before the bowl game
Projection: turns pro
UPDATED: Confirmed he’s returning Jan. 10
PORTER GUSTIN
What we know: said he’s likely returning
What we’re hearing: wanted to turn pro but incomplete season interfered with that plan
Projection: returns
UPDATED: Confirmed he’s returning Jan. 5
BIGGIE MARSHALL
What we know: plans to announce soon
What we’re hearing: wants to turn pro (and planned to) but uneven season called for further examination; isn’t overly swayed by purported struggles; confident he’ll be drafted because of premium placed on corners; has not registered for spring semester classes
Projection: turns pro
UPDATED: Confirmed he’s returning Jan. 12
MARVELL TELL
What we know: has not formally stated his intentions
What we’re hearing: currently plans to come back
Projection: returns
UPDATED: Did not declare for draft by Jan. 15 deadline.
USC is at 81 scholarships for 2018.
SAM DARNOLD
What we know: plans to consult with Helton, Swann, family, NFL players, former Trojans in the following days; hasn’t met with agents all year
What we’re hearing: leaning toward the draft and could make a decision in the next week
Projection: turns pro
UPDATED: Declared for draft Jan. 3.
RONALD JONES
What we know: is awaiting draft eval and that grade will play a big factor
What we’re hearing: heavily leaning toward leaving
Projection: turns pro
UPDATED: Declared for draft Jan. 5
DEONTAY BURNETT
What we know: hasn’t strongly considered possibility until recently; doesn’t plan to decide immediately; would be playing with a new quarterback
What we’re hearing: was alarmed by lack of involvement in Pac-12 title game; emergence of Vaughns, Pittman has spurred him to give NFL serious thought; stock is rising; would like another year of production on his resume in case he doesn’t stand out at combine
Projection: turns pro
UPDATED: Declared for draft Jan. 8
TOA LOBENDAHN
What we know: isn’t in a rush to decide but has been thinking about it for some time
What we’re hearing: is torn because a) it isn’t clear whether he’ll be drafted at all right now, b) his most likely pro position is center but has limited film there, and c) has battled injuries the past three years, so he sees coming back as a big health risk
Projection: returns
UPDATED: Confirmed he’s returning Jan. 10
CHUMA EDOGA
What we know: said he’ll return immediately following Cotton Bowl
What we’re hearing: members of program expect him to come back but also find him unpredictable
Projection: returns
UPDATED: Did not declare for draft by Jan. 15 deadline.
RASHEEM GREEN
What we know: said he’s still deciding; Kenechi Udeze advising him to return
What we’re hearing: having a strong season despite playing through injuries most of the year has him strongly leaning toward the NFL; has not registered for spring semester classes
Projection: turns pro
UPDATED: Declared for draft Jan. 13
CAM SMITH
What we know: said he’s still deciding
What we’re hearing: has been weighing it all year; close friend and roommate Darnold leaving is a factor; knows he will be drafted but is aware of struggles in space and wants to improve there; told teammates he was returning before the bowl game
Projection: turns pro
UPDATED: Confirmed he’s returning Jan. 10
PORTER GUSTIN
What we know: said he’s likely returning
What we’re hearing: wanted to turn pro but incomplete season interfered with that plan
Projection: returns
UPDATED: Confirmed he’s returning Jan. 5
BIGGIE MARSHALL
What we know: plans to announce soon
What we’re hearing: wants to turn pro (and planned to) but uneven season called for further examination; isn’t overly swayed by purported struggles; confident he’ll be drafted because of premium placed on corners; has not registered for spring semester classes
Projection: turns pro
UPDATED: Confirmed he’s returning Jan. 12
MARVELL TELL
What we know: has not formally stated his intentions
What we’re hearing: currently plans to come back
Projection: returns
UPDATED: Did not declare for draft by Jan. 15 deadline.
USC is at 81 scholarships for 2018.
