• QB Mark Sanchez (New York Jets, 1st round, 5th overall pick) • 12 starts, quarterbacking a 6-6 squad that's one game out of the AFC playoff race
• LB Brian Cushing (Houston Texans, 1st round, 15th overall pick) • 12 starts, 5th in the NFL with 102 tackles (No. 1 among rookies), 3 INTs, 12 passes defended (best among all LBs)
• LB Clay Matthews (Green Bay Packers, 1st round, 26th overall pick) • 9 starts (appeared in all 12 games), 13th in the NFL with 7 sacks (No. 1 among rookies), 2 forced fumbles
• LB Rey Maualuga (Cincinnati Bengals, 2nd round, 38th overall pick) • 12 starts
• DL Fili Moala • (Indianapolis Colts, 2nd round, 56th overall pick) • Appeared in 6 games
• WR Patrick Turner (Miami Dolphins, 3rd round, 87th overall pick) • Appeared in 2 games
• LB Kaluka Maiava (Cleveland Browns, 4th round, 104th overall pick) • 3 starts (appeared in all 12 games), 33 tackles, 2 forced fumbles
• DL Kyle Moore (Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 4th round, 117th overall pick) • Appeared in 4 games
• K David Buehler (Dallas Cowboys, 5th round, 172nd overall pick) • Appeared in all 12 games, 20 touchbacks (No. 4 in the NFL) in just 60 kickoffs, 66.6 yard kickoff average
• CB Cary Harris (Buffalo Bills, 6th round, 183rd overall pick) • Appeared in 2 games
• S Kevin Ellison (San Diego Chargers, 6th round,189th overall pick) • 6 starts (appeared in 9 games), 36 tackles
  
  

WR Patrick Turner, 3rd round, 87th overall, Miami
OLB Kaluka Maiava, 4th round, 104th overall, Cleveland
DE Kyle Moore, 4th round, 117th overall, Tampa Bay
PK David Buehler, 5th round, 172nd overall, Dallas
CB Cary Harris, 6th round, 183rd overall, Buffalo
S Kevin Ellison, 6th round, 189th overall, San Diego

*DL Fili Moala was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in 2nd round (56th overall pick) on Saturday.

**UCLA did not have anyone drafted for the first time since 1997. FUCLA!

But when a reporter asked Carroll on Tuesday if he could foresee a scenario where Armstead moves back to tackle, the coach said no way.

“He’s too good at what he’s doing,” Carroll said. “He’s just learning. I think he’s a real factor.”

Despite weighing about 20 pounds more than Kyle Moore, his predecessor at strong-side defensive end, Armstead has made as many visits to the offensive backfield as the rest of the Trojans’ young, active defensive line.

“I really like the way he’s doing his stuff,” Carroll said. “He’s physical, he can rush the passer and he’ll chase the ball, too. It’s a great move for him.

“We didn’t know it at the time. It was an experiment. But it didn’t take (more than) a couple of days to see this was a good move for him, and for us.”

More from the USC blog:

• USC football: Defiant Mustain plans to ‘keep throwing it’
• USC football: Joe McKnight’s return imminent
• USC football: Quarterback quotes
• USC football: Taylor Mays and Ronnie Lott
• USC football: 5 spring practices, 5 observations
• USC football: Stars of the scrimmage (defense)
• USC football: Stars of the scrimmage (offense)
• USC football: The ups and downs of Matt Barkley
• USC football: Why Taylor Mays made only a cameo
• USC football: More scrimmage stats

Post from: USC

Former Trojans participating in today’s Pro Day at USC:

QB Mark Sanchez
WR Patrick Turner
LB Brian Cushing
LB Clay Matthews Jr.
LB Rey Maualuga
LB Kaluka Maiava
S Kevin Ellison
CB Cary Harris
DL Fili Moala
DL Kyle Moore
DL Gerald Washington
P Greg Woidneck
K David Buehler
TB Hershel Dennis
TB Desmond Reed
WR Jason Mitchell
TE Dominique Byrd

There will be around 100 representatives from the NFL. Players will be evaluated in the weight room and then on the field for running agility drills and individual workouts. All activities are closed to the public.

Q. Why USC? A. It’s a great program, and I’m going to be coached by a great linebackers coach in [Ken Norton Jr]. He is one of the best to play the game. I’m going to learn how to play football at the next level. And being able to play under coach Pete Carroll is an excellent opportunity. I know they will be able to improve my chances of getting into the NFL, which has always been my dream. It’s every kid’s dream who plays football.

Q. What happened with UGA? A. I just didn’t want to be that close to home. I’m very thankful to UGA for offering me a scholarship and spending so much time with me. It was hard to tell them no because the coaches and I developed a great relationship. It got to a point where we didn’t even talk recruiting. We would just laugh about other stuff, but I knew I couldn’t go wrong at USC.

Sounds a lot like Kyle Moore back in his recruitment.

Talked to someone with scouting connections who gave me the following assessments of the USC contingent at the Senior Bowl practices:

LB Brian Cushing: “He’s the same hard-playing guy we’ve seen the last four years. He’s just a beast. He’s a little bit tight, but scouts love him. He has everything.”

LB Clay Matthews: “He has been solid. The interviews are where he’s going to make the most money. He showed he can play in space as a linebacker. He’s probably a mid-second-round pick.”

LB Rey Maualuga: “All those ‘SC boys came in sculpted and cut; he came in a little sloppy. But he’s big, powerful and strong. He has been a little inconsistent. He seems to be picking his spots.”

DT Fili Moala: “I think he’s helped himself a little bit with his quickness. He’s done a nice job. He just plays tall. He might end up as a five-technique (3-4 defensive end).”

DE Kyle Moore: “He’s a little better than expected as an edge guy. But once he gets stalled, he gets stuck in the line and can’t get off. I still don’t like his inconsistency. He could be a five-technique, but I don’t know if he’s strong enough.”

WR Patrick Turner: “Disappointing. He’s big, he looks good, but he’s not fast or physical. A lot of people already have written him off. People know what he is. He had such a strong supporting cast at ‘SC. And he has no special-teams value.”

More from the USC blog:

• USC football: Sanchez, Trojans D at it again
• USC basketball: Dwight Lewis ‘doubtful’ for UW
• USC football: Pete Carroll on the road again
• USC basketball: The point of it all
• USC football: Flaw in the 2009 schedule
• USC basketball: Playing time for Jordan Cameron?
• USC football: With healthy shoulder, O’Dowd should be bolder
• USC football: Cutler endorses Bates in ‘09
• USC football: Cutler connection captivates Corp
• USC football: Seven degrees of separation

Hopefully the Penn State offense will soon be joining you all in popping numerous Advils to help ease the pain that will be inflicted upon them by the almighty Trojan D.

Full game diary after the jump.

Receiver Brandon Carswell:

(on whether Hazelton ever talked about leaving) “Not about leaving. Sometimes he would be like, ‘Man, I just need to work harder. Something’s going on to where I’m not playing.’ It’s just really surprising, though.”

(on whether he’s sad to see Hazleton go) “Oh yeah, definitely. We’re all brothers. It’s going to be really hard to replace a guy like that. He was really a playmaker. He came out here and worked hard.”

Defensive end Kyle Moore:

(on what he said to Hazelton on Tuesday) “I just told him I’m going to miss him.”

(on whether this signifies a trend in the program after Broderick Green also left) “No. People transfer from everywhere. … I hate to see him go, but you gotta do what you gotta do.”

Offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian:

(on why Hazelton lost playing time) “Everything on this field is based on competition. We try to play the guys that have competed and are doing things right on a consistent basis. That’s where the chips fell.”

(on how injuries affected Hazleton) “None of those things helped. When you’re healthy and you’re feeling good, it’s a lot easier to come out and battle. When you’ve got a nick here, a nick there, an illness here, a something there, it hinders your ability to compete on a daily basis, on a consistent basis.”

Quarterback Mark Sanchez:

(on whether anything was different about Hazelton this season) “He was injured early, with the ankle injury. That didn’t really help. In the end it was his decision. He’s taken off, and we wish him the best. It’s too bad. He’s a good player. He’s going to be good wherever he goes.”

(on whether it’s disheartening to lose another player) “It happens. Guys compete so much … if they can’t do it anymore, then maybe this isn’t the right spot for them. There’s always going to be good guys here.”

WR coach John Morton:

(on whether he was suprised Hazelton left) “A little bit. We’ve been working on some things. We thought he was improving.”

(on how Hazelton handled falling down the depth chart) “He was a No. 1 guy. When you lose your starting spot, obviously you struggle with it. It’s my job to help him through that, help him fight through adversity, help him along, just to keep fighting. He was a competitor. Competitors fight. It’s just that he was fighting, and other guys were making plays. We’ve got to play the guys who are playing the best.”

(on Hazelton’s frustratio level because of the injuries) “Vidal was a physical player, so there was always something he was getting. That’s hard for a player. You’ve got to fight through it. … Not only do you lose your starting role, you’re getting injured, there’s a lot of things you’ve got to fight through. … It was my job to help him through certain things. It’s how he responds to it. He struggled in the beginning, but then he came along and started fighting.”

(on how hard it is to see Hazelton leave after investing so much time in him) “We did invest a lot of time. You put all that hard work into it, and you want to see a kid succeed. You don’t want to see anybody let go. That was one of the frustrating things. When you work hard, you want to see some results. Again, when the guys in front of him are making plays, when you get an opportunity you have to take advantage of it. And if you don’t, you stay status quo.”

Coach Pete Carroll:

(on whether Hazelton’s decision surprised him) “Just timing-wise maybe a little bit. But it’s best at this point, with all that’s going on here, that he isn’t with us now. It could have gone the other way. It’s hard on him. I noticed also with Broderick when his deal came up, it’s hard for the guys to stay in it and stay focused (when they’re not playing). They think they can, but it’s difficult. … Hopefully it’ll turn out well. He’s a very good football player. He’s a tough kid, and a great, competitive kid.”

(on whether Morton pushed for Hazleton to play more) “Yeah, he was always fighting. These guys fight for all their guys. They want all the play time they can get. They know the competitive kids need to be out there. We tried the best we could. But sometimes other guys take spots away. That’s part of the competition of this program. It’s tough to be here. It’s a challenge to be here. Sometimes it might be better for somebody to go somewhere else, particularly when they have other issues, too, that coincide.”

(on how Hazelton handled his fall down the depth chart) “He battled. He fought and battled. Then he encountered one issue after another injury-wise and couldn’t get back out here on a steady basis. … He didn’t have a good, constant run at getting back out there. He kept having to take a step backward to heal, and other guys kept rolling. It’s just competition. A lot of factors enter in. You get banged up and you lose your turn, other guys fill in. … That’s how it goes. I love that aspect of our program. We continue to promote the competitive side of it. Guys continue to battle for what they get. Everything counts. Our guys are into it. Our guys understand it. It’s why we have such good practices and we hold can hold such a level of performance. To me, practice is everything. There’s much more time spent out here, showing where you fit in, who you are and what you’re all about.”

More from the USC blog:

• USC football: Carroll glad to have timeout back
• USC football: Injuries kick Shoemate to fullback
• USC football: Injury updates, other tidbits
• USC football: Why Vidal Hazelton is leaving USC
• USC football: Vidal Hazelton transfers
• USC football: Jersey switch to cost just one timeout
• USC football: In Carroll’s words (with commentary)
• Sanchez, Matthews make Pac-10 All-Academic team
• USC football: Seniors say Rose Bowl is bittersweet

Kyle Moore in a sun-drenched end zone getting ready for kickoff.

A couple cuties with wind swept hair.

Future star T.J. Bryant. Are we sure this kid is old enough to be in college?

LOS ANGELES -- USC's All-American linebacker Brian Cushing, who's already nursing a wrist injury that requires a protective cast, left practice Tuesday with a bruised hip.

Defensive end Kyle Moore also missed action with back spasms.

Coach Pete Carroll said he doesn't expect the injuries to keep either player from starting against No. 5 Ohio State on Saturday.

"It doesn't look like it," Carroll said.

Cushing apparently took a knee to his hip early in practice.

Receiver Vidal Hazelton, who's nursing a sprained ankle, participated in some drills and could be ready by Saturday.

"He did pretty well today," Carroll said. "We'll see."

• Carroll upon learning that Ohio State All-American RB Chris Wells had been cleared to play: "It's good for them. He's a great player. I'm sure it pumps them up and gives them a good boost going into the game."
• The defense beat the offense on Competition Tuesday, Ohio State week addition.
• Carroll on the improved play of his WRs, who were merely talented underachievers last year: "They've just grown up. They're more mature about playing in a game. They're more comfortable. Their batting average on their assignments is way, way higher than it was ... We're way different than a year ago ... I guess it was too much to ask of the young guys last year -- they couldn't emerge fast enough."

The headline injury in training camp was a dislocated kneecap suffered two weeks ago by starting quarterback Mark Sanchez. After seeing him throw in 1-on-1 and 7-on-7 drills, Carroll was pleased with Sanchez's progress and said that he could be practicing at full speed in the next couple of days. That would allow Sanchez, who watched the mock game from the sideline, to participate in game-week preparations.

Asked about his other quarterbacks, Mitch Mustain and Aaron Corp, Carroll wasn't saying much without watching the film. "There were no major breakdowns in communication ... we made it through, I think this was just another day for those guys growing."

Sophomore tailback Joe McKnight appeared fine despite dealing with a series of random and presumably painful injuries over the last couple of weeks.

There was some concern over how sharp USC looked on the lines, with a few penalties and turnovers sprinkled in. More coverage after the jump.

--Adam Rose
Photo: Mark Sanchez (6) flanked by Mitch Mustain (16) and Aaron Corp (15). Credit: Lori Shepler / LA Times.

Quick picks:

• Full scrimmage recap from Gary Klein.
• Details on a surprising camp for Garrett Green and other updates from David Wharton.
• Scrimmage stat report (PDF file) from USC.

Click play to listen to Pete Carroll's press gaggle held immediately after the scrimmage:

Media release from USC Sports Information:

WHITE TEAM DEFEATS CARDINAL TEAM, 28-7, IN USC FOOTBALL INTRASQUAD SCRIMMAGE

        LOS ANGELES–The White team, comprised mainly of first and second teamers, defeated the Cardinal (reserves) team, 28-7, in the USC football team’s final intrasquad scrimmage of fall camp in front of 8,000 fans in the Coliseum on Thursday (Aug. 21).
         The White team scored a touchdown in each quarter.  After defensive end Kyle Moore deflected a first quarter pass by Cardinal team quarterback Garrett Green, fellow end Everson Griffen intercepted it in the end zone for a score.  But the Cardinal team responded on its following possession, capping a 74-yard drive with Green’s 12-yard TD pass to wide receiver Brice Butler. 
        Late in the first half, tailback Joe McKnight scored on a 6-yard run that culminated a 69-yard drive for the White squad.
        The White team scored on its first possession of the second half on an 88-yard drive.  Quarterback Aaron Corp hit tight end Blake Ayles on a 12-yard pass, but Ayles fumbled the ball into the end zone and offensive guard Zack Heberer fell on it for a touchdown.
        Quarterback Mitch Mustain hit fullback Adam Goodman for a 2-yard TD on the White team’s final possession of the game to finish the scoring.
        Corp (8-of-10 passing for 85 yards) and Mustain (10-of-14 for 92 yards) split time in the scrimmage.  Mark Sanchez, who entered fall camp as the starting quarterback before dislocating his kneecap on Aug. 8, participated in pre-game drills and could return to practice fulltime next week.
        McKnight ran for 32 yards on 3 carries and had 34 more yards on 3 punt returns.  Tailback Allen Bradford added 39 yards on 6 rushes. Wide receiver Vidal Hazelton had 5 receptions for 44 yards, while Ayles had 3 for 55 yards.
        For the Cardinal team, Green was 10-of-19 passing for 134 yards, but was intercepted twice.  Wide receivers Jordan Cameron (81 yards), D.J. Shoemate (36 yards) and Butler (19 yards) each had 3 catches. Shoemate added 63 yards on 3 kickoff returns.
        The Cardinal defense was led by safety Drew McAllister’s 8 tackles and linebacker Jordan Campbell’s 5 stops.
        Garratt topped the White squad with 3 tackles, while safety Taylor Mays had 3 deflections.
        Six-time defending Pac-10 champion USC opens its season on Aug. 30 at Virginia.

Photos: Pete Carroll (above) and Garrett Green (14). Credit: Lori Shepler / LA Times.

Corp's in and throws a low pass to Vidal Hazelton at the line of scrimmage that falls incomplete. Stafon Johnson picks up four yards on the next play. Corp under heavy rush, finds Hazelton for two yards.
TOUCHDOWN: Green's back and Everson Griffen tips his pass and intercepts it in the end zone. 7-0, white team. Green again and the reserves fail to do much until Kevin Thomas is called for pass interference on Cameron.
Green scrambles for his life but then sets up and finds Cameron wide open behind the defense for 48 yards. Remember this is the vaunted No. 1 defense. Does Virginia have a mobile QB?
TOUCHDOWN: Green then finds Brice Butler for a 12-yard TD pass. Green is 3 for 6 for 83 yards with an interception. Cardinal 7, White 7.
And that's the end of the first quarter. Mitch Mustain must be thinking it would be more fun to be the No. 4 QB, you get more reps.

2008 CFN Unit Rankings

Defenses

1. USC
When linebackers Rey Maualuga and Brian Cushing decided to forego the NFL Draft for one more year, it ensured that the Trojans would have one of the nastiest back sevens in the country.  Not only are the two seniors All-America-caliber, but the secondary is sensational. Safeties Kevin Ellison and Taylor Mays are among six players with starting experience.  Even without current pros Sedrick Ellis and Lawrence Jackson, the defensive line will be just fine. On the outside, speedy Everson Griffen is good enough to make folks forget about Jackson. On the inside, senior Fili Moala is about to shed his anonymity while making a strong push for All-American honors and a spot in the first round of next year’s NFL Draft.    

Offenses

10. USC
Mark or Mitch? The battle between Mark Sanchez and Mitch Mustain to replace John David Booty at quarterback isn’t exactly over. Sanchez got the nod in April, but he got hurt and is questionable for the start of the season. Mustain has done nothing but impress the staff since transferring from Arkansas. Whoever gets the ball will have gobs of speed and explosiveness surrounding him. After getting a taste of action as a freshman, RB Joe McKnight is on the tarmac and preparing for national lift-off. The receivers are a year older, with the size, athleticism, and addition of former Hog Damian Williams to dominate opposing secondaries. The line loses four starters, putting the onus on sophomores Kristofer O’Dowd, Butch Lewis, and Zack Heberer to perform like vets.         

Defensive Backs

2. USC
SC has had the Pac-10’s best pass defense two years running. There’s more than enough returning talent and former prep All-Americans to run that streak to three, although a few more interceptions would be nice. In Kevin Ellison and Taylor Mays, USC is home to a couple of hard-hitting enforcers with All-America potential. If Josh Pinkard is even close to where he was a couple of years ago, no program in the country will be able to match them at the position. Sure to get picked on early, Shareece Wright needs to give opposing quarterbacks a reason to not look to his side.

Defensive Lines

3. USC
Sedrick Ellis and Lawrence Jackson were two of the first 28 picks in April’s draft, yet the Trojans are going to be more than fine up front. Fili Moala and Everson Griffen are the new headliners of a front wall that’ll rely on a deeper group of players this fall. The Trojans are so quick and strong up front, opposing backs are rarely able to get to the second level. Of course, not that things get any easier there. Moala is going to make himself plenty of money this fall, and Griffen and Kyle Moore are big enough on the outside to be valuable assets in run support.

Linebackers

1. USC
Rey Maualuga and Brian Cushing are a pair of NFL-ready linebackers still hanging around the Pac 10. Their presence will help ease the transition of Luthur Brown or Kaluka Maiava into the lineup, while giving the program a couple of intimidating defensive players who opposing coaches will have to account for every Saturday. Led by Maualuga and Cushing, this group has a nose for the football and a gift for fighting through blockers to get to the ball carrier. With the front seven that USC will be rolling out this year, the only tackles the safeties and corners make will be on completed passes.

Running Backs

6. USC
Even after Emmanuel Moody transferred to Florida, there isn’t a school in the nation that features four backs as talented as the ones in this backfield. The Trojans are basically injury-proof, meaning even if one or two players went on the shelf, the running game would survive. As is the case with many USC positions, Pete Carroll will be forced to do a juggling act to be sure that all of his gifted runners are well fed throughout the season.  It’s going to be a challenge.  While Joe McKnight is the star-in-waiting, Stafon Johnson might actually finish the year with the most carries.