Behind the scenes at the Topps 2008 NFL Rookie Photo Shoot. Suited in Minnesota Vikings gear, John David Booty talks with Topps' about learning from NFL veterans, his future with Adrian Peterson and becoming a trading-card icon.

Booty was drafted by the Vikings in the fifth round (137th overall) of the '08 NFL Draft. Although Minnesota's shaky quarterback Tavaris Jackson is likely to earn the start, there remains a good possibility that Booty will see playing time in the '08 NFL season.

• Reggie Bush is proving to be as elusive off the field as he is on it. The trial has been postponed. Again. [LA Times]
• However, Bush's side is seeking arbitration and that could involve a serious admission. [Yahoo!]
• In case I forgot to mention it earlier, a USC commit is officially the fastest in the state at the 100m and 200m. [LA Times]
• John David Booty is getting solid reviews. [NFL]
• Jeff Tedford has joined the blogosphere. It's less "bells and whistles" than Pete Carroll's, but also a bit more personal in tone. [Cal]
• Looking to get in a flame war with USC haters? Here ya' go. [Bleacher Report]

Hoops

• O.J. Mayo may sign with an agent from CAA. [Draft Express]
• Tim Floyd had a lot to say about O.J. Mayo, though nothing new to regular readers of this blog. [Timeberwolves]
• Kentucky transfer Derrick Jasper is looking at USC. [SLO]

Other Sports

• Another reminder that USC allegedly gave a really good baseball coach the boot. [LA Times]
• Basketball isn't the only sport struggling to hang onto talent. High school phenon Tim Beckham had signed to play baseball at USC, but was the #1 overall pick in yesterday's MLB draft. Don't expect to see him play an inning of college ball. [ESPN]
• Ditto for #14 Aaron Hicks. [MN Star Tribune]
• And #56 Jay Austin. [Houston Chronicle]
• And #110 Jon Pettibone. [News Journal]
• The women's tennis team had two All American nods, while the men equaled that and had the ITA Doubles Team of the Year. [USC]

Final draft [ESPN Insider]

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 first round.

No Rush: For four USC draft picks, an extra year in school may have rewarded them with a big payday. Gary Klein explains in Sunday's LA Times.

No Hype: An interesting forum post found that 10 first rounders in this draft were given two stars or fewer coming out of high school (by at least one of the top recruiting services).

The Trojans:

• Sedrick Ellis (DT) - New Orleans - 1st round, 7th pick
  • Times-Picayne's blog story
  • The Saints traded up to get Ellis
• Keith Rivers (OLB) - Cincinnati - 1st round, 9th pick
  • Enquirer article
  • Enquirer video interview
• Sam Baker (OT) - Atlanta - 1st round, 21st pick
  • Journal Constitution article
  • The Falcons traded up to get protection for new quarterback Matt Ryan
• Lawrence Jackson (DE) - Seattle - 1st round, 28th pick
  • Post-Intelligencer article
  • The Seahawks actually traded down from 25th
• Chilo Rachal (OG) - San Francisco - 2nd round, 8th pick (39th overall)
  • Chronicle article
  • Transcript of Chilo's conference call
  • Local reaction is that the 49ers had a boring draft
• Fred Davis (TE) - Washington - 2nd round, 17th pick (48th overall)
  • Post article
  • The Redskins got two receivers as well as pass-catching Davis
• Terrell Thomas (CB) - New York Giants - 2nd round, 32nd pick (63rd overall)
  • Post blurb (seriously, this was the best coverage we could find in the New York press)
• John David Booty (QB) - Minnesota - 5th round, 2nd pick (137th overall)
  • Star Tribune article
  • LA Times article
  • Booty slipped lower than some though he might, but the Vikings traded up in the 5th round and now it's a great match.
• Thomas Williams (OLB) - Jacksonville - 5th round, 20th pick (155th overall)
  • Times-Union article
• Chauncey Washington (RB) - Jacksonville - 7th round, 6th pick (213th overall)
  • Times-Union article

USC had a phenomenal draft. Nearly 13% of picks drafted in the first round were USC Trojans. USC owned 11% of picks through the end of the second round. USC had 10 draft picks overall, the most out of any school, including four in the first round (also the most out of any school). Here's the draft breakdown by Trojan player.

Sedrick Ellis - 1st round, 7th pick to the New Orleans, Saints.
Keith Rivers - 1st round, 9th pick, to the Cincinnati Bengals.
Sam Baker - 1st round, 21st pick - to the Atlanta Falcons
Lawrence Jackson - 1st round, 28th pick - Seattle Seahawks

Chilo Rachal - 2nd round, 8th pick - San Francisco, 49ers
Fred Davis - 2nd round, 17th pick - to the Washington Redskins
Terrell Thomas - New York Giants - 2nd round, 32nd pick (63rd overall)

John David Booty - 5th round, 2nd pick - Minnesota Vikings
Thomas Williams - 5th round, 20th pick - Jacksonville Jaguars

Chauncey Washington - 7th round, 6th pick Jacksonville Jaguars

It has not been a good couple of days for John David Booty's older brother, Fox sportscaster Josh Booty. A former player for both the MLB Marlins and the NFL Browns/Raiders, Josh Booty was arrested early Monday morning on suspicion of drunk driving.

While he was moving cells in the Orange County Jail, it is reported that Booty became "belligerent" and "uncooperative." There was a struggle and in an attempt to subdue him, the police used a taser on the 6-2, 220 pound Booty. During the struggle Josh fell, striking his head on a table, resulting in a noticeable black-eye.

Booty was cited and released on the misdemeanor arrest. He is scheduled back in court on March 12.

They are:

* SAM BAKER

* JOHN DAVID BOOTY

* FRED DAVIS

* SEDRICK ELLIS

* LAWRENCE JACKSON

* CHILO RACHAL

* DREW RADOVICH

* KEITH RIVERS

* TERRELL THOMAS

* CHAUNCEY WASHINGTON

* THOMAS WILLIAMS

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...

With that many Trojan players on the field, it's going to be like a good old fashion USC football game.

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.