USC WRs have stellar debuts for their 2020 NFL seasons

The USC Trojans were widely represented across the 2020 NFL season Week 1 performances — and most notably — were on the receiving end of passes as the former Trojan receivers had terrific days through the air.

Making his first NFL start, Michael Pittman Jr. was targeted just two times but hauled in both receptions in his professional debut. But that was just the tip of the iceberg.

Nelson Agholor scored a touchdown on his lone target for the Las Vegas Raiders, one that proved essential for the Raiders to grab the victory over the Carolina Panthers.

And then came the Sunday Night and Monday Night games.

Robert Woods’ performance for the Los Angeles Rams was so good, that news broke that he and the Rams are working on a massive contract extension. Woods was targeted eight times and caught six balls for 105 yards in the Rams season-opening victory over the Dallas Cowboys.

JuJu Smith-Schuster followed that up with a six-catch, 69-yard, two-touchdown performance in the Pittsburgh Steelers dominant win over the New York Giants, 26-16.

The four former USC receivers combined for 15 receptions for 202 yards and three scores through the air. Now, that’s a debut for some former pass-catchers.

Elsewhere in the pros, former Trojans who were active in NFL Week 1:

Rasheem Green had two tackles and a QB hurry in his season opener with the Seattle Seahawks.

Jordan Simmons played 13 snaps at left guard for the Seahawks as well in their victory over the Atlanta Falcons.

Porter Gustin played a bit in a reserve role for the Cleveland Browns while Malcolm Smith combined for four tackles in a strong, limited performance for the Browns in their loss to the Baltimore Ravens.

Sam Darnold struggled on a New York Jets team in their season-opening loss to the Buffalo Bills. Darnold passed for 215 yards on 21-of-35 for a touchdown and an interception.

Austin Jackson drew the start at left tackle and had a clean sheet in pass protection but an uninspiring offensive output around him for the Miami Dolphins in a loss to the New England Patriots.

Nickell Robey-Coleman had two tackles and a strong day in coverage for the Philadelphia Eagles despite the loss to the Washington Football Team.

Uchenna Nwosu recorded two pressures including a sack on first overall pick Joe Burrow for the Los Angeles Chargers in their dramatic win over the Cincinnati Bengals.

The main story was Tom Brady but Ronald Jones carried the ball 17 times for 66 yards for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Jones wasn’t targeted in the passing game in the Bucs loss to the New Orleans Saints.

Devon Kennard started for the Arizona Cardinals against the defending NFC Champion San Francisco 49ers and recorded two pressures and a solo stop in the Cardinals win.

Everson Griffen had two pressures, a batted ball at the line of scrimmage and four total tackles for the Dallas Cowboys in his first game with ‘America’s Team.’ Antwaun Woods chipped in with a tackle as well while Tyron Smith started at left tackle with great success in pass protection against the formidable Rams defensive front.

Zach Banner started the game at right tackle for the Steelers and held his own for Ben Roethlisberger’s return to action.

Speaking of Roethlisberger, former Trojan Leonard Williams recorded a sack on Big Ben as well as two other pressures and four total tackles for the Giants despite the loss.

Congratulations to all the USC Trojans making their NFL 2020 season debuts!

Fight On!