NFL Draft
4/18/25
3 min read
Jaylin Smith 2025 NFL Draft: Scouting Report For USC Trojans CB
Height: 5104 (verified)
Weight: 187lbs (verified)
Year: Senior
Pro Comparison: Thomas Graham
Scouting Overview
USC Trojans cornerback Jaylin Smith projects as a nickel defender and potential special teams contributor at the NFL level. Smith boasts a diverse coverage menu from his time with the Trojans and an NFL athletic profile.
He has the ability to plaster in man coverage and attack the football cut down on his ceiling, but there should be opportunities for him to compete for a roster spot because of his work on kick coverage units and the physicality he can offer in the contact window.
2025 NFL Combine Results
| Position | Name | School | 40-Yard Dash | 10-Yard Split | Broad Jump | Vertical Jump | 3-Cone Drill | 20-Yard Shuttle | Bench Press |
| CB | Jaylin Smith | USC | 4.45 | 1.6 | 122 | 32.5 |
Positives
- Boasts extensive experience with multiple assignments and alignments — a testament to his big-picture comprehension of scheme
- Likable demeanor fitting gaps against the run, boosting his nickel outlook
- 450+ career special teams snaps with notable snaps on all four phases
Negatives
- Ball production is modest and hindered by efficiency in transitions
- Is not a big time striker or effective wrap-up tackler — missing length, as well
- Unlikely to appeal with any opportunities to play outside due to compressed frame and short punch window
Background
Smith is from Mission Hills, CA, and played high school football for Bishop Alemany HS. As a youngster, he was featured on the Netflix show “Coach Snoop” as a player in Snoop Dogg’s youth football league. At Bishop Alemany, he was coveted as a 4-star athlete and committed to USC as a member of the team’s 2021 recruiting class. He chose USC over offers from schools like Alabama, Oregon, Texas, and Michigan.
Smith would go on to play 33 games in his first three seasons at USC, with 22 total starts between time spent as safety and nickelback. He moved primarily outside for his 10 games as a starter for the 2024 season, playing 482 snaps outside vs. just 22 in his first three seasons combined. Smith missed two games on the season due to injury and did not participate in the team’s bowl game.
Ideal Scheme Fit, Role
Smith is ideally suited to compete for a roster spot as a nickel defender while competing to serve as a primary special teams coverage defender. He has enough physicality, speed, and tackling capability to serve a role in teams if he competes hard and earns a coach’s trust.
Grade: 68.50/100.00, Seventh Round Value
Big Board Rank: 255
Position Rank: CB28
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