JuJu Smith-Schuster

It was clear from the beginning that even among the great pass-catchers to play at Southern Cal, JuJu Smith-Schuster was cut from a different cloth. The five-star recruit signed with the Trojans already sporting an NFL-ready frame at a rock-solid 6-foot-2, 220 pounds and wasted no time in announcing his presence, hauling in four passes for 123 yards against Fresno State in his debut at the college level - the most yardage gained by any true freshman receiver in his first game in USC's storied history. His production since has been even more noteworthy. Despite breaking his right hand against California midway through the 2015 season, Smith-Schuster hauled in 89 passes for 1,454 yards and 10 touchdowns, earning him consensus First Team Pac-12 accolades from conference coaches and media alike. Smith-Schuster missed no playing time due to the injury (or the subsequent surgery), catching eight passes for 138 yards and a touchdown against Arizona just five days after having a plate and eight screws inserted into his hand.

in our view

NFL teams in search of a big, physical tone-setter on the perimeter will value Smith-Schuster's physical talent, work ethic and toughness.

strengths

With his broad shoulders and thick, powerful limbs, Smith-Schuster has the prototypical frame for the split end receiver position. He slaps away attempts at pressing him at the line of scrimmage, showing off his strength and lateral agility. While perhaps lacking elite top-end speed, Smith-Schuster glides off the line of scrimmage, accelerating smoothly to gobble up the cushion and sneaking past corners to serve as an effective deep threat. He uses his broad frame to shield defenders from the ball, easily out-muscling corners at this level to win contested passes and shucking would-be tacklers after the catch with a wicked stiff-arm, leg drive and determined running.

compares to

Brandon Marshall, New York Jets

weaknesses

Smith-Schuster does not possess elite top-end speed to take the top off of defenses. Further, too often he's been able to win with just his size and strength as a route-runner, pulling in passes with defenders draped over him simply because of his bulk and the accuracy of the passes being thrown to him. Smith-Schuster is a coordinated athlete but does not explode out of breaks. Competitive and physical, Smith-Schuster is already ahead of most college receivers as a downfield blocker but he has not maximized his potential in this regard, failing to sustain blocks by stopping his feet on contact and pushing opponents rather than surging through contact.

though two inches shorter than the 6-4, 220 pound pro-bowler, smith-schuster offers a similar blend of physicality, reliable hands and competitiveness on the outside.

--Rob Rang, 1/3/2017

He made 2013 Prep Star All-American Dream Team, ESPN 300, Cal-Hi Sports All-State first team, All-CIF Pac-5 Division, Los Angeles Times All-Area, Orange County Register Fab 15 first team, Long Beach Press-Telegram Dream Team and All-Moore League Player of the Year as a senior wide receiver and safety at Poly High in Long Beach (Calif.). He had 71 tackles in 2013 despite being sidelined part of the year with injuries. As a 2012 junior, he made Cal-Hi Sports All-State first team, Cal-Hi Sports California Junior of the Year, Cal-Hi Sports All-State Junior first team, Max Preps All-State Division I first team, All-CIF Pac-5 Division Co-Offensive Player of the Year, Los Angeles Times All-Area and Long Beach Press Telegram All-Area Player of the Year. He had 49 receptions for 752 yards (15.3 avg) with 9 TDs on offense in 2012, plus 51 tackles and 6 interceptions on defense and 12 punt returns for 190 yards (15.8 avg) with a TD and 9 kickoff returns for 131 yards (14.6 avg). Poly won the 2012 CIF Pac-5 Division championship. As a sophomore in 2011, he had 11 receptions for 241 yards (21.9 avg) and 3 kickoff returns for 96 yards (32.0 avg). Current Trojan Iman Marshall also prepped at Poly.

He is a psychology major at USC. His real first name is John. In the summer of 2015, he legally changed his last name to Smith-Schuster (from just Smith) in honor of his stepfather. His cousin is current USC assistant coach Johnny Nansen.