Former USC WR Drake London picked 8th by Atlanta Falcons in NFL draft

London is the first receiver selected in the 2022 draft and the first USC receiver taken in the first round since Nelson Agholor in 2015

Adam Grosbard (OC Register)  —  Former USC wide receiver Drake London was selected eighth by the Atlanta Falcons in the first round of the NFL draft on Thursday night.

London was the top receiver selected in the draft, the first USC receiver taken in the first round since Nelson Agholor in 2015.

London arrived at USC in 2019 as a four-star prospect out of Moorpark High. He started nine games as a freshman but only made three catches in the first five games of the season. But his role grew, finishing with 39 receptions for 567 yards and five touchdowns, one in each of the final five games of the year.

After his freshman season, London participated on the USC men’s basketball team, playing in two games. But following his breakout sophomore season in which he led USC in receiving yards, he opted to focus solely on football.

Even with the short season, London went on to win Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year along with Pro Football Focus All-American first-team honors after USC went 4-4 with London and 0-4 following his injury.

The broken ankle required surgery and limited London’s ability to work out for NFL teams during the pre-draft process, but it did not prevent him from going in the top 10.

“I wouldn’t say I had a good sense. I just felt like I wanted to be in Atlanta at the end of the day,” London told reporters following his selection. “This is where I wanted to end up and I don’t even know what to say. I’m at a loss for words.”

London’s selection marked the third straight season a Trojan has gone in the first round and the third year in a row a USC receiver has been picked.

In Atlanta, London has the chance to make an immediate impact. The Falcons have been left with little talent at receiver, especially after Calvin Ridley was suspended for at least the 2022 season due to gambling on NFL football.

Paired with tight end Kyles Pitts, the Falcons’ first-round pick a year ago, and London should get plenty of looks early in his career from quarterback Marcus Mariota.

“I feel like that twin tower, me and Kyle, could be special,” London said. “I think [London’s playing style] is just fearless, basically. Someone who goes up, gets the ball regardless of whether he’s ‘covered’ or not. So I feel like you guys are just getting a playmaker.”

ocregister.com

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