Round 3 of NFL Draft reunites Jaylin Smith and Calen Bullock in Houston

When a team feels that they have their guy on the board, spending draft capital to get a player becomes something of a no-brainer. The Houston Texans moved up five spots in the 2025 NFL Draft to select Jaylin Smith.

Trojan fans will know the cornerback for his strong secondary presence. Coach DeMeco Ryans must have seen the same things, as they went up to get him on the second day of the draft proceedings. Houston gave up their 102nd and 142nd picks in exchange for this year's 97th and 187th picks.

With that 97th selection, the Texans acquired Smith. He is someone who can bring a lot to the Houston DB room. Looking to build on his development from USC, the corner brings speed and quickness to the secondary with his willingness to initiate contact in a physical style of football.

For someone who has overcome a lot of adversity, his competitiveness and continued drive to be great will serve as an asset at the next level. For the Trojans, the defensive back is the first player who was selected from the university this year. Smith will make everyone proud, as he already has, after watching him for four years at USC.

Houston Trojans starting to form for the Texans on defense

The landing spot also adds him to a team with fellow former product out of USC, Caleb Bullock. As a rookie, the safety had a strong start in the NFL. He picked the ball off five times and had 54 total tackles. His rookie season also added some NFL playoff experience to his resume against the Los Angeles Chargers and the Kansas City Chiefs. 

Now Trojan fans will have an even stronger reason to tune into Texans games on Sunday, as the defense will have a chance of seeing two Trojans patrolling on defense in the secondary. Fit is everything when it comes to selections; having a familiar face to help bridge the NCAA to NFL gap will only be a help for Smith in Houston.