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]

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

From Rivals.com:

4. Oakland (4-12)
The Pick:  Sedrick Ellis, DT, Southern Cal
The 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 Cal
The 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 Cal
The buzz:  A pass rusher like Jackson would allow the Eagles to solidify their front seven on defense.

Surprising how fast Fred Davis/Sam Baker have fallen off draft boards.

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.

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

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.

David Baker, the father of senior offensive lineman Sam Baker, shares his thoughts about the final regular practice of Sam’s career at USC and what five minute walk he will miss the most now that the season is over… continue

There are long-term plans and then there are longer-term plans. Sam Baker has both.  The Trojans’ left tackle, a three-time All-American, would like to coach high school football once his playing days are over. He might have to wait a while, as he is projected to go in the middle of the first round in next spring’s NFL draft. “I’m going to play as long as I can,” Baker said. “However long that may be, then we’ll see about coaching.” continue

But naming Oregon's Dennis Dixon as the No. 7 quarterback in the nation and running back Jonathan Stewart the No. 6 running back? Please. Don't be that dumb.

USC fans may want to take note. CFN.com has Illinois RB Rashard Mendenhall second-team, four spots ahead of Stewart.

Nice hit for Rialto grad Ryan Grice-Mullen, one of Hawaii's wide receivers, who was named second team. Another Rialto guy, Boise State's Ryan Clady, was named second team offensive line along with USC tackle Sam Baker and tight end Fred Davis.

USC DE Lawrence Jackson made third team while LBs Keith Rivers and Rey Maualuga were honorable mention, as was Oregon's Patrick Chung of Raqncho Cucamonga.

Here's the team, listed by position.

Quarterbacks
First Team
1. Tim Tebow, Soph. Florida

Second Team
2. Colt Brennan, Sr. Hawaii

Third Team
3. Sam Bradford, RFr. Oklahoma

Honorable Mention
4. Chase Daniel, Jr. Missouri
5. Pat White, Jr. West Virginia
6. Matt Ryan, Sr. Boston College
7. Dennis Dixon, Jr. Oregon
8. Todd Reesing, Soph. Kansas
9. Dan LeFevour, Soph. Central Michigan
10. Graham Harrell, Jr. Texas Tech
11. Cullen Harper, Jr. Clemson
12. Paul Smith, Sr. Tulsa
13. Brian Brohm, Sr. Louisville
14. Erik Ainge, Sr. Tennessee
15. Chase Clement, Jr. Rice
16. Andre Woodson, Sr. Kentucky

Running Backs
First Team
1. Darren McFadden, Jr. Arkansas
2. Kevin Smith, Jr. UCF

Second Team
3. Rashard Mendenhall, Jr. Illinois
4. Ray Rice, Jr. Rutgers

Third Team
5. Jamaal Charles, Jr. Texas
6. Matt Forte, Sr. Tulane

Honorable Mention
7. Jonathan Stewart, Jr. Oregon
8. Knowshon Moreno, Fr. Georgia
9. Tashard Choice, Sr. Georgia Tech
10. Justin Forsett, Sr. California
11. Eugene Jarvis, Soph. Kent State
12. Chris Wells, Soph. Ohio State
13. Anthony Alridge, Sr. Houston
14. Chad Hall, Sr. Air Force
15. Chris Johnson, Sr. East Carolina

Wide Receivers
First Team
1. Michael Crabtree, RFr. Texas Tech
2. Jordy Nelson, Sr. Kansas State

Second Team
3. Ryan Grice-Mullen, Jr. Hawaii
4. Davone Bess, Jr. Hawaii

Third Team
5. James Hardy, Jr. Indiana
6. Mike Thomas, Jr. Arizona

Honorable Mention
7. Aaron Kelly, Jr. Clemson
8. Harry Douglas, Sr. Louisville
9. Jeremy Maclin, Fr. Missouri
10. Mario Manningham, Jr. Michigan
11. Brandon Gibson, Jr. Washington State
12. Kenny McKinley, Jr. South Carolina
13. Donnie Avery, Sr. Houston
14. Dante Love, Jr. Ball State
15. Jabari Arthur, Sr. Akron

Tight Ends
First Team
1. Travis Beckum, Jr. Wisconsin
Second Team
2. Fred Davis, Sr. USC
Third Team
3. Martin Rucker, Sr. Missouri

Honorable Mention
4. Cody Slate, Soph. Marshall
5. Bear Pascoe, Jr. Fresno State
6. Darius Hill, Sr. Ball State
7. Gary Barnridge, Sr. Louisville
8. Ryan Purvis, Jr. Boston College
9. Dennis Pitta, Soph. BYU
10. Dustin Keller, Sr. Purdue

Offensive Line
First Team
1. OT Jake Long, Sr. Michigan
2. OT Anthony Collins, Jr. Kansas
3. OG George Robinson, Jr. Oklahoma
4. OT Barry Richardson, Sr. Clemson
5. C Jonathan Luigs, Jr. Arkansas

Second Team
6. OT Kirk Barton, Sr. Ohio State
7. OT Sam Baker, Sr. USC
8. OG Branden Albert, Jr. Virginia
9. OT Ryan Clady, Jr. Boise State
10. OG Hercules Satele, Sr. Hawaii

Third Team
11. C Alex Mack, Jr. California
12. C Steve Justice, Sr. Wake Forest
13. C Adam Spieker, Sr. Missouri
14. OT Jeremy Zuttah, Sr. Rutgers
15. OT Michael Oher, Jr. Ole Miss
16. OT John Greco, Sr. Toledo

Defensive Line
First Team
1. DT Glenn Dorsey, Sr. LSU
2. DT Sedrick Ellis, Sr. USC
3. DE Greg Middleton, Soph. Indiana
4. DE George Selvie, Soph. South Florida

Second Team
5. DE Chris Long, Sr. Virginia
6. DE Wallace Gilberry, Sr. Alabama
7. DE Greg Hardy, Soph. Ole Miss
8. DE Vernon Gholston, Soph. Ohio State

Third Team
9. DE Chris Ellis, Sr. Virginia Tech
10. DE Nick Reed, Jr. Oregon
11. DE Maurice Evans, Soph. Penn State
12. DE Lawrence Jackson, Sr. USC

Honorable Mention
13. DT Lorenzo Williams, Sr. Missouri
14. DE Chase Ortiz, Sr. TCU
15. DE Jan Jorgensen, Soph. BYU
16. DT James Jones, Sr. Eastern Michigan

Linebackers
First Team
1. Dan Connor, Sr. Penn State
2. Curtis Lofton, Jr. Oklahoma
3. Jordon Dizon, Sr. Colorado

Second Team
4. Scott McKillop, Jr. Pitt
5. James Laurinaitis, Jr. Ohio State
6. J Leman, Sr. Illinois

Third Team
7. Spencer Larsen, Sr. Arizona
8. Sean Lee, Jr. Penn State
9. Shawn Crable, Sr. Michigan

Honorable Mention
10. Beau Bell, Sr. UNLV
11. Jerod Mayo, Jr. Tennessee
12. Keith Rivers, Sr. USC
13. Rey Maualuga, Jr. USC
14. Erin Henderson, Jr. Maryland
15. Brandon Spikes, Soph. Florida
16. Wesley Woodyard, Sr. Kentucky

Defensive Backs
First Team
1. S Craig Steltz, Sr. LSU
2. FS Jamie Silva, Sr. Boston College
3. CB Antoine Cason, Sr. Arizona
4. CB Aqib Talib, Jr. Kansas

Second Team
5. CB Alphonso Smith, Jr. Wake Forest
6. CB Mike Mickens, Jr. Cincinnati
7. FS Rashad Johnson, Jr. Alabama
8. CB Mike Jenkins, Sr. South Florida

Third Team
9. SS Kenny Phillips, Jr. Miami
10. CB Reggie Smith, Jr. Oklahoma
11. SS Chris Horton, Sr. UCLA
12. FS Jonathan Hefney, Sr. Tennessee

Honorable Mention
13. SS Patrick Chung, Jr. Oregon
14. CB Terrence Wheatley, Sr. Colorado
15. SS Tyrell Johnson, Sr. Arkansas State
16. FS William Moore, Jr. Missouri

Placekickers
First Team
1. Thomas Weber, Fr. Arizona State
Second Team
2. John Sullivan, Sr. New Mexico
Third Team
3. Gary Cismesia, Sr. Florida State

Honorable Mention
4. Travis Bell, Georgia Tech
5. Kai Forbath, Fr. UCLA
6. Austin Starr, Jr. Indiana
7. Jeff Wolfert, Jr. Missouri
8. Michael Torres, Sr. UCF
9. Leigh Tiffin, Soph. Alabama
10. Louie Sakoda, Jr. Utah

Punters
First Team
1. Durant Brooks, Sr. Georgia Tech
Second Team
2. Kevin Huber, Jr. Cincinnati
Third Team
3. Chris Miller, Sr. Ball State

Honorable Mention
4. Brett Kern, Sr. Toledo
5. Owen Tolson, Sr. Army
6. Jacob Richardson, Jr. Miami Univ.
7. Ryan Weigand, Sr. Virginia
8. Louie Sakoda, Jr. Utah
9. Michael Hughes, Sr. San Diego State
10. Tim Reyer, Sr. Kansas State

Kickoff Returners
First Team
1. A.J. Jefferson, Soph. Fresno State
Second Team
2. Matt Slater, Sr. UCLA
Third Team
3. Kevin Robinson, Sr. Utah State

Honorable Mention
4. Bryan Williams, Jr. Akron
5. Felix Jones, Jr. Arkansas
6. Kevin Marion, Sr. Wake Forest
7. Chris Johnson, Sr. East Carolina
8. Malcolm Lane, Soph. Hawaii
9. Marcus Herford, Jr. Kansas
10. Dorien Bryant, Sr. Purdue

Punt Returners
First Team
1. Kevin Robinson, Sr. Utah State
Second Team
2. Leodis McKelvin, Sr. Troy
Third Team
3. Deon Murphy, Jr. Kansas State

Honorable Mention
4. Eddie Royal, Sr. Virginia Tech
5. Jeremy Maclin, Fr. Missouri
6. Derrick Richards, Sr. Utah
7. Marty Tadman, Sr. Boise State
8. Philip Beck, Jr. Louisiana Tech
9. Brian Bonner, Sr. TCU
10. Brandon James, Soph. Florida