USC football continues its long tradition of shaping its players for the NFL as yet another Trojan steps into the league.
On Wednesday, the Cleveland Browns announced that former USC linebacker Easton Mascarenas-Arnold made the 53-man roster as an undrafted free agent after an excellent preseason.
Mascarenas-Arnold is the fourth Trojan from the 2024 class in the NFL as safety Jaylin Smith and running back Woody Marks were drafted by the Houston Texans and offensive lineman Jonah Monheim was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars.
There’s a lot to like about Mascarenas-Arnold in terms of his play on the field. He led USC in tackles last season with 95, plus he was tied for the most interceptions (2) and forced fumbles (1).
Mascarenas-Arnold only played for USC last year after spending his first three years at Oregon State where he was a First-Team All Pac-12 member in 2023. He transferred in last year with his stepbrother, graduate safety Akili Arnold, after they played together for the Beavers and Mission Viejo High School in south Orange County.
Even though he was only with USC for one season, Mascarenas-Arnold became a leader on the defensive side of the ball for USC. He often gave pregame speeches to his teammates and brought that leadership onto the field.
Now, Mascarenas-Arnold will look to bring those same qualities over to a Cleveland Browns team that’s looking for impact from the defense after going 3-14 last season.
He’ll be a part of a new look linebacker group with only two members returning from last season. However, the group added a lot of young talent in Mascarenas-Arnold and second-round pick Carson Schwesinger from crosstown rival UCLA.