Road games at Ohio State, Washington, California, Notre Dame, Oregon, Arizona State and for some reason the media thinks the world is going to crash down upon the Trojans. Articles like "Tough road slate could derail USC in '09" and "Don't be surprised if ... USC's run of seven consecutive Pac-10 titles ends in 2009", cast a shadow of gloom upon the 2009 season. And why? New quarterback in Aaron Corp, bunch of defensive leaders gone to the NFL, a situation that USC has never faced before under Carroll. The last time Pete Carroll has faced such an extraordinary predicament was way back when...in 2008.
Here we are, only minutes away from the '09 draft. But before the clock starts running, how about a look back to the Trojans of '08. How did they fare in their rookie seasons?
Sedrick Ellis, 7th overall, Saints: 30 tackles, 4 sacks. Keith Rivers, 9th overall, Bengals: 37 tackles (in 7 games), a forced fumble and an interception before being eliminated from the season by a crushing block from Hines Ward. Sam Baker, 21st overall, Falcons: Started 5 games, played 7. Integral force in Matt Ryan and the Falcons impressive post-Vick turnaround. Lawrence Jackson, 28th overall, Seahawks: 29 tackles, 2 sacks. Chilo Rachal, 2nd round - 7th pick, 49ers: Started 6 games, played 8. Fred Davis, 2nd round -17th pick, Redskins: 3 receptions for 27 yards. If Sanchez lands there, Davis may get a increase in passes thrown his way. Terrell Thomas, 2nd round, 32nd pick, Giants: 45 tackles, a blocked kick, a forced fumble and an interception. John David Booty, 5th round, 2nd pick, Vikings: Has yet to get his feet wet. Thomas Williams, 5th round, 20th pick, Jaguars: 1 tackle, 1 forced fumble. Chauncey Washington, 7th round, 6th pick, Jaguars: 4 carries, 9 yards. 1 reception, 9 yards.
So the big winners last year were Terrell Thomas and Keith Rivers until...
Some familiar names are on the ballot for this year's NFL Pro Bowl. Check out the former USC players under consideration: Ryan Kalil (C, Carolina) Deuce Lutui (G, Arizona) Sam Baker (T, Atlanta Falcons) Matt Cassel (QB, New England) Carson Palmer (QB, Cincinnati) Justin Fargas (RB, Oakland) LenDale White (RB, Tennessee) Reggie Bush (both as RB and Kick Returner,... more »
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.
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 »
Draft footage of USC first-rounders: Ellis, Rivers, Baker and Jackson
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)
From Rivals.com:4. Oakland (4-12)The Pick: Sedrick Ellis, DT, Southern CalThe buzz: Veteran tackle Warren Sapp has joined the retirement list, and Ellis is flying up the charts. 9. Cincinnati (7-9)The Pick: Keith Rivers, LB, Southern CalThe buzz: The Bengals defense has struggled with young linebackers, and Rivers is a proven playmaker. 19. Philadelphia (8-8)The Pick: Lawrence Jackson, DE, Southern... more »
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.
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 »
Day two of Senior Bowl practice in Mobile, Ala. was as good as it gets for the nine Trojan players on the North squad. Superstars like Sedrick Ellis and Sam Baker continued their impressive run, but even the late additions to the game like Drew Radovich and Terrell Thomas were turning heads. Check out these video highlights of all... more »
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.
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