Uchenna Nwosu

... Five star recruits are common at historical powerhouse programs like USC but Nwuso was cut from a different cloth, only emerging as a starter in high school as a senior. The flash he showed during that one year, however, prompted a scholarship offer from the Trojans (and plenty of others). Nwuso is hoping that similar flashes throughout his two seasons as a starter at USC will earn a similar leap of faith from an NFL club. Nwuso served as mostly a special teams defender and backup outside linebacker during his first two years on campus, playing in 25 games but only starting once (Arizona, 2015). He recorded a total of 40 tackles during that time, 31 of which came in 2015, along with 1.5 tackles for loss and a pass broken up. Nwuso earned the starting strongside linebacker role as a junior in 2016, starting all 13 games and registering 53 tackles, including 7.5 for losses of 39 yards (with 3 sacks for minus 18 yards), plus 5 deflections and a forced fumble. Nwuso was initially listed as a defensive end before the team adopted more of a hybrid 3-4 look on defense. Nwuso's role as a stand-up edge rusher, however, remained the largely the same. Playing the same role in 2017, Nwuso emerged as USC's best big play defender and a team leader as a senior. He earned First Team All-Pac-12 honors from league coaches and an invite to the Senior Bowl after recording career-highs in tackles (71), tackles for loss (9.5) and sacks (7.5) over the regular season, while also contributing an interception and a fumble recovery. Perhaps most impressively, Nwuso became a master of tipping passes at the line of scrimmage, leading the team with 13 deflections - ranking among national leaders for non-defensive backs. BACKGROUND Nwuso made 2013 Prep Star All-West, All-L.A. City Division I first team, South Bay Daily Breeze All-South Bay first team and All-Marine League first team as a senior linebacker at Narbonne High in Harbor City (Calif.). He had 121 tackles, 3 interceptions, 9 deflections, a fumble recovery and a forced fumble in 2013. He recorded just 15 tackles as a junior, playing behind fellow 2018 NFL prospect Keyshawn Bierria (Washington) and only began playing football there as a sophomore after previously focusing on basketball.

in our view

Nwuso played essentially a stand-up defensive end role in USC's defense, rarely dropping back into coverage. His strength and length in this role help against the run but he was his most effective tipping passes at the line of scrimmage. There are some traits to work with here but he is not the well-rounded prospect or even the traditional outside linebacker USC has produced over the past decade.

strengths

Sports an imposing frame with broad shoulders, long arms and a chiseled musculature. Flashes real suddenness as a pass rusher, timing his burst with the snap to occasionally leave tackles flat-footed and grasping at air. He is a passionate pass rusher, fighting to get to the quarterback with a relentlessness and toughness that inspires teammates. His best attribute, however, might be the timing and awareness he shows when not getting to the quarterback, leaping into the air to tip passes at the line of scrimmage (13 passes defensed in 2017), creating potential turnovers and frustrating opposing quarterbacks. Against the run, Nwuso shows good strength to anchor and create a pile and he is quick enough to slip blocks. He is a classic drag down tackler with the long arms and strength in his hands to rip ball-carriers to the ground even when occupied with blockers. -- Rob Rang 12/28/2017

compares to

Cassius Marsh, 49ers - The 6-4, 245 pound Marsh rotated along the defensive line and linebacker at UCLA and in NFL stops in Seattle, New England and San Francisco, showing enough versatility to stick in the league but not enough polish at any one position to stay for long. He, like Nwuso, possesses intriguing initial burst, a flair for big plays and an intense kamikaze playing style that could either endear (or alienate) him from teammates, coaches and fans.

weaknesses

Is not the sum of his parts... Inconsistent burst upfield, guessing wrong too often on the snap count, and is not as quick laterally. A bit stiff in his core, which keeps him from changing direction quickly and limits his ability to scrape the edge sharply. Struggles to disengage once blockers latch on, showing little technique as a pass rusher other than simple speed and bull rushes... Reliant upon his long arms to "catch" ball-carriers, showing just average balance and agility when needing to break down for secure tackles in the open field... Rarely asked to drop into coverage and shows limited awareness and agility there, despite his gaudy PBU numbers... Struggled with immaturity early in his career, getting sent home from the Holiday Bowl after a fight with a teammate. Nwuso did not register for classes at USC the following semester, opting instead to take classes at El Camino Community College in nearby Torrance and transferring back... - Rob Rang 12/28/2017

He made 2013 Prep Star All-West, All-L.A. City Division I first team, South Bay Daily Breeze All-South Bay first team and All-Marine League first team as a senior linebacker at Narbonne High in Harbor City (Calif.). He had 121 tackles, 3 interceptions, 9 deflections, a fumble recovery and a forced fumble in 2013. Narbonne played in 2013 L.A. City Division I final. He had 15 tackles as a 2012 junior. He also played basketball at Narbonne.

He is a political science major at USC.