The countdown to USC’s 2025 football season is officially on! The Trojans kick off their new campaign 22 days from today. You need something to help you while away the days and hours in the spring and summer. This is one way to do so. In this new series, countdown to kickoff, we will be counting down the days by highlighting a notable Trojan who wore each number. Today, we look at former USC safety Leon McQuay III.
Position: Safety
Years played at USC: 2013-2016
Career highlights: McQuay saw significant playing time his first three seasons at USC, before emerging as a full-time starter as a senior in 2016. That year, he recorded 50 total tackles, six passes defended, two interceptions, and a sack.
McQuay saved by far his biggest moment as a Trojan for last. With under a minute remaining in the 2017 Rose Bowl—his final college football game—USC and Penn State were tied at 49. McQuay intercepted a pass by Nittany Lions quarterback Trace McSorley and returned it 32 yards, setting up the Trojans for the game-winning field goal to cap off an instant classic victory.
After USC: The Kansas City Chiefs selected McQuay in the sixth round of the 2017 NFL Draft. He spent the next two years with the organization, splitting time between the active roster and the practice squad. McQuay appeared in one regular season game with Kansas City, recording three tackles and one pass defended.
McQuay is the grandson of Leon McQuay, who played running back in both the NFL and the Canadian Football League during the 1970s.
This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: USC football countdown to kickoff recalls Trojans safety Leon McQuay