Oct 13, 2018; Los Angeles, CA, USA; USC Trojans defensive lineman Malik Dorton (44) and linebacker Porter Gustin (45) celebrate after sacking Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Steven Montez (not pictured) in the third quarter at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
The next stop for USC outside linebacker Porter Gustin will be the NFL.
Gustin suffered a fractured ankle late in Saturday night’s 31-20 win over Colorado and will undergo surgery this week, missing the rest of his senior season, Trojans coach Clay Helton said Sunday night.
Gustin (6-5, 260) is rated as the fifth-best senior outside linebacker available for the 2019 draft, according to NFLDraftScout.com.
“Whoever gets (Gustin) in the NFL is going to get a rare commodity,” Helton said.
Gustin is tied for second on the team with 28 tackles, including team-bests in tackles for loss (10) and sacks (seven). He faces a three- to four-month rehab before working out for NFL teams.
His absence will be a significant blow to USC, which is 4-2 overall and leads the Pac-12 South with a 3-1 record. The Trojans play a key conference game Saturday at Utah (4-2, 2-2).
Gustin’s injury could also influence the national championship race, as the Trojans finish the regular season at home against rival Notre Dame, which is unbeaten and ranked No. 4 in the AP poll.
Gustin, who appeared in only four games as a junior because of multiple injuries, finished his USC career with 137 tackles, with 33 for loss and 21 being sacks.
