Ranking USC Trojans Top-5 Best Receivers: Marqise Lee or Keyshawn Johnson at No. 1?
The USC Trojans have a historic abundance of talent that have suited up for cardinal and gold. With so many talented wide outs in the program's history, it was hard to narrow it down to just five names, but these Trojans give the team the moniker "Wide Receiver U".
Honorable mentions include Mike Williams, Keary Colbert, and Steve Smith.
5. JuJu Smith-Schuester
JuJu Smith-Schuester just edges out Mike Williams for the No. 5 spot. Smith-Schuester takes the spot because of his consistent production throught his three years at Southern Cal. Smith-Schuester caught 54 balls as a freshman for 724 yards and five touchdowns. He followed that up with a stellar year in 2015 where he lead the Pac-12 in receiving yards with 1,454. He caught 89 passes for 10 touchdowns, double the amount he had his freshman year. Smith-Schuester would have a great junior year, catching 70 passes for 914 yards and 10 touchdowns. His junior year, 2016, was the year Trojans quarterback Sam Darnold led USC to a Rose Bowl win over Penn State. He would become a second round pick in the 2017 NFL draft.
4. Robert Woods
Robert Woods is the career leader in receptions at USC with 252. He's second in touchdowns with 32, and yet he's still No. 4 on the list. That's not to dimish how great Woods was during his time at USC. Woods was Trojans' quarterback Matt Barkley favorite target and quickly made his mark his freshman year in 2010. He caught 65 passes for 792 yards and six touchdowns. A common theme during the list, Woods would significantly improve his second year at USC. His All-American year in 2011, he would lead the Pac-12 with 111 receptions for 1292 yards and 15 touchdowns as the Trojans would go 10-2 and finish No. 6 in the AP poll. Woods' numbers would fall off his junior year but still be solid. He caught 76 catches for 846 yards and 11 touchdowns. He would be drafted in the second round of the 2013 NFL draft.
3. Dwayne Jarrett
Dwayne Jarrett, a two-time All-American, was one of the most prolific receivers in Trojans history. As a freshman, Jarrett was the leading receiver on the 2004 USC national championship team. He caught 55 receptions for 849 yards and 13 touchdowns. Jarett would one up his freshman year and catch nearly double the receptions. He ended up with 91 receptions and 1,274 yards. He ended up leading the nation in touchdowns with 16. 2005 would be the first year that he was voted as an All-American as the Trojans were the runner-ups in the national championship vs. Texas. His last year in Los Angeles would be arguably his least productive. He would wind up with 70 receptions with 1,015 yards and 12 touchdowns. USC would end their season with a Rose Bowl win over Michigan. He would earn his second consecutive All-American recognition and get drafted in the second round of the 2007 NFL draft. Jarrett finished second in career yards and is the career leader in touchdowns.
2. Keyshawn Johnson
Keyshawn Johnson, the first and only USC wide receiver to be drafted first overall in the NFL draft. Johnson racked up over 1100 yards in his two years at USC. He caught 58 balls his sophmore season at USC for 1,140 yards and six touchdowns in 1994, but broke out during the following season. The junior wide out would snag 90 receptions, good for forth in the nation, he would add on 1,218 yards and another six touchdowns. The Trojans would also find team success during Johnson's time in Los Angeles. Johnson would lead USC to the 1994 Rose Bowl game vs. Northwestern where the Trojans knocked off the No. 3 Wildcats 41-32. He would get selected by the New York Jets first overall in the 1996 NFL draft.
1. Marqise Lee
In the end, Marqise Lee tops the list as the best Trojan wide receiver of all time. Lee started his USC career on fire with 1,143 yards and 11 touchdowns on 73 receptions his freshman year in 2011. His 2012 season was legendary and goes down as arguably one of the best single seasons in USC history. Lee caught 118 passes for a staggering 1721 yards and 14 touchdowns. When the Trojans played Arizona, Lee caught 16 passes for an eye-opening 345 yards. He lead the country in receptions and was the runner-up in receiving yards that year as he finished fourth in the Heisman race, losing to Johnny Manziel. Lee would also be awarded the 2012 Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year award as well as become an All-American. He would end his Trojans career as the USC career leader in receiving yards with 3,655, second in receptions with 248, and fourth in touchdowns with 29.
MORE: Viliami Moala Flips Commitment From 'Dream School' USC Trojans to Oregon Ducks
MORE: Detroit Lions' Amon-Ra St. Brown Touchdown Streak, Feud With Cowboys' Jourdan Lewis
MORE: Chicago Bears' Caleb Williams Breaks Franchise Rookie Records In Victory Over Jaguars
MORE: How Will USC Trojans Respond After Losing to Penn State Nittany Lions?
MORE: USC Coach Lincoln Riley Takes Blame For Overtime Loss to Penn State: 'Gut Punch'
MORE: USC Trojans' Lincoln Riley: 'We've Played The Toughest Schedule In The Country'