Long overdue props to the man with the mustache. Pat Ruel has groomed offensive line juggernauts Ryan Kalil, Deuce Lutui, Sam Baker, Fred Matua and Winston Justice.

His draw is comparable to that of Ed Orgeron and has helped him win many recruits outside his position.

Possibly something that Carroll rubbed off on him:

"Pete's like a beautiful woman," Ruel said after taking the job. "The closer you get, you better look out. He is very charismatic. He can smile and make you feel like a million dollars."

Everybody should be feeling like a million bucks if the Golden Ruel can get Jeff Byers and company opening those truck-sized holes we saw against Nebraska last year.

Wherever USC's Ruel travels, offensive lines are Golden [CBSSports.com]

Final draft [ESPN Insider]

You may watch this little Friday night walk-through tradition, and wonder how USC ever wins any games at all. But O-Line coach Pat Ruel does have 34 years of experience in both college and the NFL, and has molded such talents as Sam Baker and Ryan Kalil, so he must be doing something right. And with a bunch of hefty o-liners added in this month's recruiting class, this power-walking tradition is only going to get fatter.

The book's main focus and character is former USC assistant head coach/defensive line coach and recruiting coordinator Ed Orgeron, now in his third tough season at the University of Mississippi.

Feldman presents an insider's look at a "college football war room throughout the recruiting process, from evaluation to the wooing stages and all the parts in between.''

There's a lot of USC in the book, Feldman says, since Orgeron talks openly about the USC recruiting "plan" as well as how they IDed unheralded recruits like Mike Patterson and Ryan Kalil.

There's also an account of how freshman recruit Joe McKnight ended up at USC instead of LSU.

Then there's the personal side of the book in which Feldman describes how Coach O "essentially traded in one addiction (alcoholism) for another (recruiting).

After three years with All-American Ryan Kalil, USC got used to a fast, intelligent, but occasionally undersized man in the middle of its offensive line. Now, it’s got an entirely different kind of center. Freshman Kristofer O’Dowd has manhandled opposing defenders through the first two games. Against Nebraska, he cleared what seemed like acres of room for tailbacks to dash through. O’Dowd has given the offensive line a new dimension… continue

Charles Krupa/The Associated Press. As part of rookie hazing, the Patriots' Zach West, left, and Oscar Lua had their hair buzzed by veterans...

The game is bigger, faster and harder. With a whole new team and a whole new play-book, the incoming Trojan rookies are showing their youth when it comes to the NFL learning curve.

Inside: A player by player look at the Trojan rookies in the NFL.

Washington Redskins: LB Dallas Sartz (strained hamstring) was sidelined morning Wednesday...

Seattle Seahawks: Backup fullback David Kirtman broke his hand during practice Wednesday morning...Kirtman, a fifth-round draft choice from 2006 out of Southern California, was participating in a running plays drill with backs and linemen when he suddenly walked off the field with a trainer while holding his right arm. By the afternoon, Kirtman was wearing a soft brace over his right hand and wrist. A Seahawks spokesman said Wednesday night that the team has yet to determine a treatment course for Kirtman, so there is no estimate on how long he will be out. Kirtman spent most of last season on the practice squad before being added to the active roster in December...Mack Strong, Seattle's two-time Pro Bowl fullback who turns 36 in September, said Wednesday that coaches have told him he will be yielding some of his playing time to younger players this season.

The Carolina Panthers signed second-round pick Dwayne Jarrett to a four-year, $3.825 million contract...Jarrett, a receiver from USC, will receive $1.935 million in guaranteed bonuses and incentives, making the deal one of the largest in guaranteed money for a second-round pick. Jarrett, the 45th pick in the draft, is expected to contend for the starting receiver job vacated when Keyshawn Johnson was released in the off-season.

"He's excited to be a Carolina Panther and looking forward to the opportunity to start opposite Steve Smith," Jarrett's agent, Darin Morgan, said.

Jarrett's signing came hours after fellow second-round pick Ryan Kalil agreed to a four-year deal. Kalil, also from USC, is expected to compete for a starting job on the offensive line.

In this latest installment of our Exit Interview series, WeAreSC sits down with Ryan Kalil to discuss his Trojan career, his recent engagement, the prospects of his younger brother playing at USC and the role Keary Colbert has played in welcoming him to the Carolina Panthers. Click below to read more on this 2006 Trojan captain… continue

K2, the younger brother of Ryan Kalil, had a great Nike Camp -- winning all of his 15 one-on-one reps.

"The only guys I remember calling me out were the UCLA d-linemen, but I killed those guys."

The 6-foot-7 Kalil is rated #16 on the Rivals100, and might just be the nation's best pass blocking offensive tackle.

High Five for Kalil [USCfootball.com]

The Carolina Panthers drafted a deadly duo from USC. In a Fox Sports article entitled "Ready Rookies" writer Randy Hill makes a case that if started, receiver Jarret and Center Kalil will immediately improve the Panther's offense.

The Panthers strike twice with potential steals out of USC in the second round.

Although stopwatch speed was his draft-day downfall, Jarrett is quicker than the guy he's replacing (Keyshawn Johnson). His hands and size should help the Panthers rise from 19th overall in red-zone efficiency.

Kalil should step in as the starter for an offensive line that helped create a measly seven rushing touchdowns last season.

A lot to like in '07 draft [ESPN]

Steve Smith, New York Giants, 2nd Round, 51st pick

Ryan Kalil, Carolina Panthers, 2nd Round, 59th pick

"Being a Trojan is being a Trojan for life and I want to come back and get my degree here and just have a degree under my belt because a degree from USC will be a great thing for me..."'

Also nice to hear him give shout-outs to his teammates and finish with "I love this program". 

• Nice Q&A from the WeAreSC staff on Spring Ball.  Here's an abridged version:

Q:  Which player helped himself the most this Spring?
A:  Hershel Dennis (unanimous answer). 

Q:  What was your favorite position battle to watch?
A:  Running back and Center position. 

Q:  Name a young underclassman or two who jumped out to you as someone to watch next fall?
A:  David Ausberry (most common answer), Stanley Havili (2nd), and Travon Patterson (3rd). 

Q:  Most impressive position unit?
A:  Linebacker (unanimous). 

Q:  What thoughts will you take from this Spring Ball session?
A:  (GP) - Optimism for the offense. 
(GK) - Optimism for the offense/team. 
(GY) - How polished this team looks. 

Answering the questions myself, I would say (1) Hershel Dennis and Travon Patterson helped themselves the most, (2) the RB battle had the makings of being the best battle but due to injuries I will have to pick the Center position, (3) Havili really impressed me, (4) Linebackers easily, and (5) this team is VERY balanced and I'm loving Sark as OC so far. 

• The Fox Sports USC page has a nice Ryan Kalil draft video.  I hardly ever watched Ryan after the snap because I've always been a skilled player growing up so my eyes naturally gravitate towards the receivers and running backs, but it's nice to see now why Ryan was an All-American at SC ;-).  The big uglies don't need any attention...