No. 21 USC vs. No. 17 Washington: Top 2020 NFL Draft prospects to watch

Michael Pittman Jr., WR, USC

The Trojans do not have a ton of obvious 2020 NFL Draft talent, but Michael Pittman Jr. is an interesting wide receiver who we have to keep an eye on. Pittman is a big and powerful wide receiver who has always shown some upside and ability in contested catch situations. He understands how to position his body well and is fantastic at fighting for the ball in the air.

This season, Pittman has shown more speed and explosiveness in the open field than ever before. He does not have elite speed and quickness, but he has shown the ability to beat defenders deep this season. If he continues to establish himself as a more explosive player, Pittman could quickly start to rise up 2020 NFL draft boards.

Tyler Vaughns, WR, USC

Tyler Vaughns is not as strong or fast as Pittman, but he is a long wide receiver who has an impressive catch radius. Vaughns has some quickness in the open field and he shows some route-running savvy. If he cannot shake his defender, Vaughns uses his length to come down with the ball in contested catch situations.

He is not the most impressive athlete on the outside, but Vaughns is a solid overall player who shows some legitimate NFL traits. Can he put himself on the map in this game against Washington?

Jay Tufele, DL, USC

Jay Tufele is a redshirt sophomore defensive tackle who is unlikely to ever put up huge numbers. However, he is an interesting interior defensive lineman who I think NFL teams would love to get their hands on.

Tufele is an extremely powerful player up front who uses his power to wreak havoc against the run and in pass-rush situations. He does not make many plays for himself, but Tufele’s raw strength and high motor consistently create situations for his teammates to make plays. He is a tough and aggressive player who should undoubtedly be on the 2020 NFL Draft radar.