BREAKING: USC Wide Receiver Ja’Kobi Lane Selected by Baltimore Ravens in Third Round of 2026 NFL Draft

USC Trojans wide receiver Ja’Kobi Lane heard his name called on Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft, as the Baltimore Ravens selected him with the 16th pick of the third round (80th overall selection).

Lane becomes the 535th all-time NFL draftee from USC, keeping the Trojans in second place behind Notre Dame’s 540 for the most in college football history.

The pass-catcher is the 15th USC wide receiver to be drafted since 2010 and the 10th to go in the first three rounds during that span. He is also the first Trojan selected by the Ravens since offensive lineman Andrew Vorhees was picked in the seventh round (229th overall) in 2023.

In his three seasons with the Trojans (2023-25), Lane recorded 99 receptions for 1,363 yards (13.8 avg.) and 18 touchdowns across 30 games with 17 starts. He also added one tackle.

Lane’s sophomore campaign in 2024 stood out as he started 8 of 13 games and led the Trojans with 43 receptions for 525 yards (12.2 avg.) and a team-high 12 touchdowns. His 12 receiving scores ranked fifth nationally and second in the Big Ten. He also ranked seventh in the Big Ten in total touchdowns. Lane was named the Las Vegas Bowl MVP after a standout performance in USC’s bowl victory and earned a spot on the AP All-Bowl Team.

As a junior in 2025, Lane appeared in 11 games with nine starts, hauling in 49 passes for 745 yards (15.2 avg.) and four touchdowns. His efforts earned him All-Big Ten Third Team honors and a spot on the Phil Steele All-Big Ten Fourth Team. Lane was also invited to the 2026 Senior Bowl and participated in the NFL Combine.

Lane got his feet wet as a true freshman in 2023, seeing action in six games and recording seven catches for 93 yards (13.3 avg.) with a long of 31 yards and two touchdowns.

USC has a rich NFL Draft history. The Trojans own the longest active streak (25 years) with a player drafted in the Top 3 Rounds. USC and Michigan are the only schools with an NFL draftee every year since 1939. USC also leads the common draft era (since 1967) with 369 picks. The program holds the record for most No. 1 overall selections and, along with Oklahoma, is the only school to produce the top pick in consecutive years.

On Thursday night, USC unanimous First Team All-American and 2025 Biletnikoff Award winner Makai Lemon was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the first round.

The 2026 NFL Draft concludes with Rounds 4-7 on Saturday.