RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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It was a quiet week for the big NFL training camp stars from USC . However, some of the top Trojans got their chance to shake off the rust, and that is exactly what Caleb Williams did in a short amount of game time. Notably, some lesser-known Trojan alumni got their shot to rises on their teams' depth charts.
Here is my breakdown of how some former USC football players fared in Week 2 of the NFL preseason:
Ja'Kobi Lane
Lane's stardom leading up to the regular season has led to him being a rookie 3rd-round draft pick, who is seen in street clothes in a preseason game. The hype and excitement could not be any bigger for a rookie heading into the season. Lane, prior to his day being cut short, had 1 catch for 9 yards.
Caleb Williams
Caleb Williams got limited action in the Bears preseason game, but he showed some great flashes. He showcased that his explosiveness is still present in his game, and he made a great throw. There was a brutal miss by Caleb, but it is hard not to be excited about the former Trojan quarterback heading into year 3. Williams finished 2-for-5 for 28 yards total.
Eric Gentry
Eric Gentry saw action for the Bengals, and he racked up his first stat line in the NFL. His traits are very impressive, and he has the right mindset to be an imposing defender, but there are still some ways for him to go to make the Bengals roster as an undrafted free agent. Gentry finished with 3 tackles in the game and showcased valuable versatility. He can make a case for landing on the practice squad this week.
Chris Roland Wallace
With the Chiefs losing two starting corners this past offseason, that opens the door for new players to enter the running. Former Trojan corner Chris Roland Wallace did that with his Week 2 preseason showing. Wallace had 3 tackles and a pass deflection, showing that he can make plays when given the chance. Another big showing in Week 3 could propel him to being a key contributor this season.
Mekhi Blackmon
Blackmon had a relatively productive game, as he posted 3 tackles for the day. However, he was a big loser in Week 2 of the preseason. So far in the preseason, Blackmon has had issues with penalties. Costly mistakes like that are inexcusable in the secondary. Blackmon is in line to be the starter out of the gate as the Colts are dealing with injuries. His 4 penalties in the postseason in just 2 games take a hit on the confidence and trust he built up last season.
Jaylin Smith
Jaylin Smith is actively trying to earn his keep in the rotation on the secondary for the Texans . Smith made his case in Week 2 as he made a couple of plays. Smith finished the game with 3 tackles and a pass deflection. The Texans are the scariest defense in the NFL, and they look even scarier with players like Smith making them an even deeper unit.
Marshawn Lloyd
Marshawn Lloyd showed the flashes of why the Packers were so high on him in the 2024 NFL Draft. Lloyd had 6 carries for 17 yards. His versatility was shown as he had 1 catch for 11 yards that resulted in a touchdown. It is encouraging to see him healthy, and one big Week 3 preseason showing will be the cherry on top of a nice preseason for Lloyd.
Lake McRee
Although he had one drop, other than that, it was a great showing for Lake McRee. McRee led the Steelers in receiving. McRee finished the game with 2 catches for 46 yards. His 23-yard catch showed he can make plays down the field. He will need another great showing to make the roster, but this was a great start for him.
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This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: USC football performance recap for NFL preseason Week 2
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