NFL Draft prospects to watch in the Alamo Bowl: USC vs TCU
If the Big Ten had been able to get four teams into the College Football Playoff, then the fourth would have been USC. However, the Trojans suffered a costly loss at Notre Dame, and they'll have to settle for the Alamo Bowl instead of the CFP.
The Trojans have opt-outs aplenty so we have to wonder about just what kind of team might show up on Tuesday night. Their opponent is TCU, who will also have key absences, but for injury and transfer portal reasons. It sort of feels like the Horned Frogs will be more excited to be here than USC will.
Notable Absences
USC will be without their top two wide receivers, Makai Lemon and Ja’Kobi Lane . Lemon is a top 15-20 overall prospect that Lincoln Riley built his offense around this season . Lane is a solid day two level prospect.
The two wideouts are opting out of this game to focus on their NFL draft preparations.
USC's top two tight ends have decided not to play in the Alamo Bowl either. It is no better on the defensive side of the ball, where safety Kamari Ramsey , who is a late 2nd to early 3rd round level prospect, has also opted out.
The same goes for linebacker Eric Gentry , who projects as a 7th round prospect, or Undrafted free agent. Another fringe prospect, in the UDFA to 7th round range is cornerback DJ Harvey. He's also declared for the draft already.
For TCU, their second leading receiver, Jordan Dwyer, is out with a foot injury.
However, the big blow is the QB1 himself, Josh Hoover. He left the team and entered the transfer portal. Former Vanderbilt quarterback Ken Seals will likelly get the start instead.
USC Players to Watch
Jayden Maiava, QB
The Hawaiian really established himself in 2025 , and he is returning to school for 2026. He put up big numbers this season, and will be expected to do so again next season. If he continues on this upward trajectory, he'll be in consideration to become a top pick in the 2027 draft.
Anthony Lucas, Edge
He's the only 2026 NFL Draft prospect on USC who hasn't opted out of this game. And his draft stock is much higher than some of the players who did. Lucas accepted an East-West Shrine Bowl invitation, and the edge rusher projects as a third-to-fourth round prospect.
Overall, USC is among the worst teams in the nation, this bowl season, when it comes to having key players who have opted out. Honestly, fans who bought tickets to the Alamo Bowl deserve a partial refund.
TCU Players to Watch
Jamel Johnson, S
A hard hitting, rangy safety who projects in the area of the 3rd to 5th round. He's like a football version of Phoenix Suns guard Dillon Brooks, in that he's a tremendously physical player.
“I’m just trying to bring a little physicality, you know,” Brooks said in an exclusive with Ratings.org . “Last year, physicality… a lot of dudes that were, you know, just finesse players. So I brought a different attitude, motivation, and determination to this team. And I think guys are following and like the style of play.”
When Johnson steps on to the gridiron, he approaches it just like Brooks does when he gets to the court- it's all about determination and physicality.
That will definitely score points with NFL GMs and scouts, as Johnson goes through the predraft process.
Eric McAllister, WR
The team's leading receiver, he could have a great opportunity to impress scouts in the Alamo Bowl. It's on him to help Seals along, in making the TCU offense go on Tuesday night.
He's a rounds 4-6 level prospect, but showcasing some leadership here would certainly help his draft stock.
Bud Clark, S
He's projected in that 7th round range round right now, so he really needs a big game here to help him stay in the draft conversation.
This article originally appeared on Draft Wire: Despite opt-outs, plenty of future NFL talent in the Alamo Bowl
