Jaylin Smith, a talented defensive back from USC, was selected by the Houston Texans in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft, marking the first Trojans player to be drafted this year. His consistent performance, including 58 tackles and two interceptions during his senior season, solidified his rise in the draft rankings. Notably, Smith's standout performance came in the 2023 Holiday Bowl where he registered a career-high 12 tackles. In Houston, he reunites with fellow USC alum Calen Bullock, both of whom were teammates at USC. This year's draft marked a notable shift for USC, as it was the first time since 2019 that they did not have a first-round pick, and the first defensive player to be drafted the highest since 2017.