USC has produced one first-round pick (Nelson Agholor in 2015) and two second-round picks (Marqise Lee in 2014 and Robert Woods in 2013) at the wide receiver position in the past four years. Junior receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster is the latest in that long line of promising Trojans pass-catchers.
In two seasons at USC, Smith-Schuster has started 26 games. He's made 143 catches for 2,178 yards and 15 touchdowns. After an 89-catch, 1,454-yard, 10-TD season in 2015, Smith-Schuster was a second-team All-American selection. That production helped land Smith-Schuster on the preseason watch lists for the Biletnikoff Award, Maxwell Award and Walter Camp Award. It will be interesting to see, however, how Smith-Schuster performs with an inexperienced quarterback at the helm this season.
Pulling back the curtain on the vote
Smith-Schuster received votes from all seven CFB 24/7 experts, and was the highest-rated wide receiver in the #CFBTop25 countdown.
What some of our analysts are saying about Smith-Schuster
"I love the physical brand of football Smith-Schuster displays on a weekly basis. He wins a lot of contested balls and he is ultra competitive after the catch." -- Daniel Jeremiah
"If you are looking for a big target who plays like a big target, then you will love JuJu Smith-Schuster. He's one of the best vertical ball-winners in the game and has a rugged edge to him that coaches should love." -- Lance Zierlein
"Big, physical pass-catcher with a rugged game. Smith-Schuster plays with a linebacker's mentality on the perimeter." -- Bucky Brooks
"Smith-Schuster's routes and hands are impressive. But I found his ability to play through injuries last season, while accumulating 89 receptions, 1,454 yards, and 10 touchdowns, even more astounding." -- Chad Reuter
"It's tempting to find ways to put the ball in his hands on every single play -- yes, he's dangerous on the catch -- but, after the catch? Look out! The best WR in CFB." -- Charles Davis
"He follows Nelson Agholor and Marqise Lee as a bigger, stronger answer for the Trojans' No. 1 receiver role." -- Chase Goodbread
Where do fans rank Smith-Schuster?
We asked Twitter users who they considered the best player in college football. Smith-Schuster earned enough votes to finish in 10th place among fans. It's no surprise that he's highly regarded with fans given his skills and the high profile of the USC program.
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