USC’s Marvell Tell selected in fifth round of 2019 NFL Draft by Indianapolis Colts

The Indianapolis picked up USC football safety Marvell Tell with the 144th selection in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL Draft.

Marvell Tell is officially off the board in the 2019 NFL Draft, with the USC football safety going to the Indianapolis Colts in the fifth round.

The Trojans have now had three players selected in this year’s draft, including Chuma Edoga to the New York Jets and Iman Marshall to the Baltimore Ravens. Tell is the 508th all-time selection out of USC.

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He is set to be the only Trojan on the Colts roster going into the 2019 season.

Tell put up impressive measurables at the NFL Combine and USC’s Pro Day, proving his athletic chops without a doubt. The question when it comes to his pro potential has always come down to his physicality and consistency.

With a thinner frame than ideal for a safety, coming in at 6-foot-2, 195-pounds, Tell was evaluated by some teams as a cornerback. It remains to be seen where he will ultimately line up in the pros.

Tell was one of the nation’s top prospects in the recruiting class of 2015. He ranked No. 59 overall in the 247Sports composite as a four-star recruit, standing fourth among safeties and eight among players in California.

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He came onto the scene early for USC, working his way into the rotation as a true freshman and even finishing the season as a starter in the final two games.

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That starting role carried over into the 2016 season, which included steady performances to the tune of 43 tackles, two tackle for loss, two deflections and an interception.

Tell truly came into his own in 2017. Named an All-Pac-12 first teamer, he delivered 85 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, three interceptions and two deflections. He had a memorable pick six to help USC secure a victory over rival UCLA.

Named a captain for the 2018 season, things didn’t exactly go to plan for Tell and his teammates. He once again served as a solid presence in the secondary, but his production fell as he struggled through issues with stingers and had a revolving door of partners at safety. He still took home an All-Pac-12 honorable mention and won USC’s Trojan Commitment Award.