A great weekend for the USC program cemented just how amazing the Trojans' 2003 recruiting class was. Sedrick Ellis, Sam Baker and Lawrence Jackson are the three latest members of USC's 2003 class, which I think should go down as the best recruiting class in modern college football history (i.e. when teams couldn't sign as many recruits as they want), to be drafted in the first round, joining Reggie Bush from two years ago. As of now, the Trojans have an astounding nine first-day draft picks from that class: Baker, Bush, Ellis, Jackson, Ryan Kalil, Steve Smith, Terrell Thomas, LenDale White and Eric Wright. (There also could be a 10th coming in 2009 when DT Fili Moala comes through.) Other USC '03s that have been drafted are John David Booty, Will Poole, Chauncey Washington and Thomas Williams.
This Year: USC had another huge draft weekend with ten players getting selected overall -- the most of any school. They also led the way with four first round picks. Historical Perspective: USC has sent 446 players to the League via the draft. 42 have been picked in the 7 years since Pete Carroll arrived, including 11 in the... more »
Chauncey Washington for President; '06 &'07 Highlights
Then the Jaguars double-dipped into the Trojan talent pool, grabbing runningback Chauncey Washington with the 6th pick of the 7th round. Washington came to the Trojans in the same '03 class as Lendale White and Reggie Bush. But injuries had him sidelined in '03 and redshirt in '04 and '05. But as they saying goes, patience ended up being Washington's greatest virtue.
With the departure of Bush and White to the NFL, and USC's tailback situation in question, Washington was the back who stepped up. He led the Trojans in rushing in 2006 with 744 yards and 9 TDs. Then in 2007, Washington kicked it up a notch. Even with young-uns Joe McKnight and Stafon Johnson as viable tailback options, Chauncey Washington was the choice for O.C. Sarkisian and Pete Carroll. Washington received more than double the carries as any other tailback, and led the Trojans with 969 yards and 10 TDs. 220 of his near 1,000 yards came from a remarkable career-high game, with Washington running all over a very soggy Cal Bears.
Washington is a sizable north-south runner with excellent vision, power and blocking ability, reminiscent of the Lendale White style of game. He should become a solid combo punch along with Jacksonville's Fred Taylor (1202 yards, 5 TDs in 2007) and Maurice Jones Drew (768 yards, 9 TDs).
Overall it has been an excellent two days for the Trojans, with 10 out of 12 players getting selected in the draft. Only guard Drew Radovich and center Matt Spanos remain undrafted. Both would be steals as free agent picks.
USC tailback Stafon Johnson got just three carries in the Trojans’ recent scrimmage, but it’s part of his plan to become a better player this spring. “I’m maturing a lot,” Johnson said. “I’m getting an opportunity to catch the ball out of the backfield. There are plays I wanted to work on catching the ball in spring along with... more »
Quarterback John David Booty arrived and departed from USC’s annual pro day Wednesday wearing the same wide grin. After linebacker Keith Rivers and defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis solidified their status among the top prospects at their positions, and running back Chauncey Washington seemingly sprinted up the draft board, Booty put on a show for dozens of NFL scouts that... more »
John David Booty and Chauncey Washington could have been the two key cogs in USC’s offense the past two seasons, but they had been forgotten men in some NFL draft projections. Both players are hoping USC’s Pro Day Wednesday put them back on the boards. Washington seemed to create the most buzz among NFL scouts, executives and coaches with... more »
Here are the official results from Wednesday’s Pro Day at USC. Among the highlights are Chauncey Washington’s 4.35 40, Sedrick Ellis’ 36 reps on the 225-pound bench press and Keith Rivers’ 42-inch vertical jump.... more »
Although it was pretty well known Chauncey Washington would get the bulk of the carries last season, Broderick came to USC with lofty goals and expected to make an impact as a true freshman. And he had good reason to believe he’d play. The Trojans lost their true power back to the NFL and Green was the one big back... more »
A total of 11 USC players, 10 seniors and junior offensive guard Chilo Rachal, have been invited to the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Feb. 20-26. They are: * SAM BAKER * JOHN DAVID BOOTY * FRED DAVIS * SEDRICK ELLIS * LAWRENCE JACKSON * CHILO RACHAL * DREW RADOVICH * KEITH RIVERS * TERRELL THOMAS * CHAUNCEY WASHINGTON *... more »
The 2008 Under Armour Senior Bowl ended with a bang. Tennessee QB Eric Ainge led the South on an 86 yard-march. He landed yards from the end zone, fourth-down, only a few seconds left on the clock. Then long-time Florida rival, receiver Andre Caldwell, helped seal the deal with a short run into the right side of the endzone. One extra point later with no time left on the clock and the South beat the North, 17-16.
Michigan QB Chad Henne won the North's offensive MVP, leading the North squad with a pair of TDs. John David Booty had a solid 6-12 for 72 yards, before he was intercepted by UTEP’s Quintin Demps in the end zone. Trojan tailback Chauncey Washington led the North's running backs with 38 yards on five carries.
Sedrick Ellis was the big-man, defensive MVP on the north. As reported by Ed Thompson of Scout:
While the turnover stopped a drive, the resulting field position ended up costing the South squad when USC defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis blew into the backfield to tackle Woodson for a safety. A combination of indecisiveness and the site of Ellis seemed to paralyze Woodson long enough to put his team behind by a count of 9-7. Ellis had a sack, a tackle for a loss and a fumble recovery on the day and earned Defensive MVP honors for the North...
The nations top seniors are convening in Mobile Alabama to begin preperations for the 2008 Under Armour Senior Bowl, January 26th 2008. The NFL scouts are showing up right behind them. At first report there were 7 Trojans playing in the bowl, now it's up to nine! It's a familiar coaching scene for the Trojans who play for team North, as they will be coached by former Trojan OC and current Oakland Raiders head-coach Lane Kiffin. USC players on the squad include the likes of Sam Baker, John David Booty, Fred Davis, Sedrick Ellis, Lawrence Jackson, Drew Radovich, Keith Rivers, Terrell Thomas and Chauncey Washington.
With that many Trojan players on the field, it's going to be like a good old fashion USC football game.
Eight USC Trojans are headed to the All-Star Senior Bowl on January 26th, a chance for the top draft prospects to showcase their abilities to eager NFL scouts. That's out of 14 total Pac-10 participating athletes. According to AL.com, USC's eight players are the most to participate from any single team since Auburn sent nine to the Bowl in 1988.
Quarterback John David Booty will lead the Trojan camp. In addition to Booty, the game will showcase the likes of Sedrick Ellis, Lawrence Jackson, Sam Baker, Drew Radovich, Fred Davis, Keith Rivers and Chauncey Washington.
The Senior Bowl is scheduled for a January 26th, 3 p.m. kickoff and will be televised on the NFL network.
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