Here is how some Trojans are doing at this years NFL combine:

Joe McKnight ran a 4.47 40 yard dash. This was fifth-best among running backs. McKnight had a 10'0" standing broad jump mark and 36.5 vertical leap

Everson Griffen bench pressed 225 lbs. 32 times and ran a 4.66 40, second best time among defensive linemen.

Damian Williams bench pressed 225 lbs. 19 times, fourth best among WRs. Williams also had a 38.0 vertical leap and ran the three-cone drill in 6.79 seconds, eighth best for WRs. He also ran the 40 in the low 4.5 range.

Jeff Byers bench pressed 225 lbs. 33 times, sixth best among offensive linemen.

Anthony McCoy logged the fourth best vertical jump among tight ends with a 35.5, fourth best among tight ends. McCoy also had a 4.79 40 and 19 bench reps.

Charles Brown had a 31.5 vertical leap and 21 bench press reps.

Taylor Mays ran an unofficial 4.24 40 yard dash (video above). Most scouts clocked his 40 at 4.32 seconds. They then changed the official time to 4.43. Mays benched 225 lbs. 24 times and had a 41.0 vertical leap, second best among safeties.

Kevin Thomas benched 225 lbs 19 times, third best among cornerbacks.

Stafon Johnson courageously bench pressed 225 lbs. 13 times. To watch the video, click here.

In news outside the realm of USC, Tim Tebow is at the combine, and NFL scouts report that he is still a virgin.

But for medical miracles, nothing yet is quite as astonishing as the word Sunday that Johnson will be back on the field in a matter of weeks, at full speed barely four months to the day after his career flashed before his eyes:

MOBILE, Ala. (AP)—USC running back Stafon Johnson, who had his larynx crushed in a weightlifting accident early in the season, has accepted an invitation to play in the Senior Bowl.

The Senior Bowl announced Sunday that Johnson planned to participate in practices and the Jan. 30 showcase game for NFL prospects in Mobile, Ala. According to a release, Johnson was recently cleared for football activities by doctors.
[...]
"This decision was made after extensive conversations with Stafon's family, coaches, medical team and personal trainer so that we were assured of his physical condition and readiness to participate in the Senior Bowl," Steve Hale, the Senior Bowl president, said in a news release.

That's an awfully quick turnaround for a guy whose larynx was broken into two pieces, and whose own surgeon described the muscles around Johnson's voice box as "blown away" by the impact of the weight; for less insanely driven players, that level of devastation might have been the end of hurtling themselves into a pack of angry 300-pounders. But even at this early stage of his return, doctors said Johnson's risk level is no higher than any other player's on the field.

He may need the all-star week as much as any player in Mobile, though, to put away any lingering doubts among pro scouts, which are as likely to concern Johnson's limited playing time in the crowded USC backfield as they are his health. One of the most hyped incoming backs in the country in 2006, Johnson earned a few carries as a true freshman, finished second on the team with 673 yards on nearly seven yards per carry as a sophomore and led a three-headed attack with 705 yards in 2008 -- altogether, he racked up 1,552 yards with 19 touchdowns, a career he might have surpassed in a single season at a school where he was allowed to carry the load as the feature back. Still, with his compact, 5'10", 220-pound frame, Johnson was always the most "pro style" back in the Trojan rotation, physically, and if he passes the questions about his recovery, no one will dare question his commitment to playing football again.

The Trojans held their annual end-of-the-year awards ceremony at the Nokia Club Sunday night. This years MVP is Damian Williams. Williams finished the season with 58 receptions for 821 yards and eight total touchdowns. Williams has until January 15th to decide if he will forgo his senior season to enter the NFL draft.

Other Trojans receiving awards were:

Most Inspirational Player: Stafon Johnson
Linemen of the year: Jeff Byers (offense); Christian Tupou and Jurrell Casey (defense)
Special teams player of the year: Garrett Green
Service team players of the year: Michael Reardon (offense); Marquis Simmons (defense)
Player of the game versus Notre Dame: Anthony McCoy
Player of the game versus UCLA: Allen Bradford
Jack Oakie "Rise and Shine" Award (year's biggest hit): Taylor Mays
Howard Jones/Football Alumni Club Academic Award: Garrett Green
Bob Chandler Award (underclassman with outstanding athletic ability, academic achievement and character): Christian Tupou
John McKay Award (underclassman with the most competitive spirit): Devon Kennard
Courage Award: Josh Pinkard
Co-Lifters Award: Jeff Byers, Will Harris, Taylor Mays
Best Fan Website: TrojanWire
Favorite Thing to Look Forward to on Mondays: Song Girl Monday by TrojanWire

A couple of interesting story lines are taking shape as the season comes to a close.

I noted yesterday that Safety Josh Pinkard is out for the Emerald Bowl because of a knee injury. That makes things very interesting as Pete Carroll will now be giving us a small glimpse into the future as to what players may have a role in 2010.

With Pinkard out, sophomore T.J. Bryant, who has been the nickel back, probably will start. But redshirt junior Shareece Wright and redshirt freshman Brian Baucham also are in the mix.

Wright, a projected starter, is expected to be available for the game after sitting out the regular season because he was academically ineligible.

Baucham, who was ahead of Bryant coming out of training camp, returned to practice Sunday after missing several weeks because of a foot injury related to a September motorcycle accident.

I am not really sure as to just how effective Wright will be after not playing for almost four months. His loss really became apparent in the second half of the season when SC's defense started to struggle. I was not pleased that Wright did not take his classwork seriously...his not being on the team really changed the dynamic of the defense.

The question I have for everyone is academically eligible does Wright deserve to play or should he wait for spring ball? Wright definitely should not start but should he see some playing time? Playing in a bowl game to me is privilege not a given. I know he is talented but is missing the regular season enough of a punishment? It is a fine line but what is the message that needs to be sent?

T.J. Bryant already has some playing time under his belt but we really have not seen anything of Baucham after his motorcycle accident...will he be game ready?

- - -

Last night USC held their Team Banquet and handed out a number of awards...

Sixth-year senior Jeff Byers was named offensive lineman of the year, while Christian Tupou and Jurrell Casey shared defensive linemen of the year honors. Senior quarterback/wideout Garrett Green was recognized as special teams player of the year. And, for the third consecutive year, Green also won the Howard Jones/Football Alumni Club Academic Award for having the highest GPA on the team.

The night wasn't lacking thrills. Cedric the Entertainer performed standup comedy and linebacker Marquis Simmons led a rendition of "Lean on Me" -- along with the tear-jerking presentation of Johnson's award by Jake Olson.

Here's a look at the full list of winners from the 2009 USC football awards ceremony on Sunday night:

• Most Valuable Player: Wideout/punt returner Damian Williams
• Most Inspirational Player: Tailback Stafon Johnson
• Linemen of the year: Center/guard Jeff Byers (offense); defensive tackles Christian Tupou and Jurrell Casey (defense)
• Special teams player of the year: Quarterback/wideout Garrett Green
• Service team players of the year: Center Michael Reardon (offense); linebacker Marquis Simmons (defense)
• Player of the game versus Notre Dame: Tight end Anthony McCoy
• Player of the game versus UCLA: Tailback Allen Bradford
• Jack Oakie "Rise and Shine" Award (year's biggest hit): Safety Taylor Mays
• Howard Jones/Football Alumni Club Academic Award: Quarterback/wideout Garrett Green
• Bob Chandler Award (underclassman with outstanding athletic ability, academic achievement and character): Defensive tackle Christian Tupou
• John McKay Award (underclassman with the most competitive spirit): Linebacker Devon Kennard
• Courage Award: Cornerback Josh Pinkard
• Co-Lifters Award: Offensive lineman Jeff Byers, safety Will Harris, safety Taylor Mays
• Recognition of the 22 graduating seniors

The awards for Stafon Johnson, Garrett Green and Damian Williams are no surprise.

Speaking of Garrett Green...

Garrett Green has been cleared to hold on placements despite a torn ACL in his right knee.

How cool is that! He definitely deserves it. He has probably been the most under the radar player on this team over the past few seasons. It sucks that he won't have a bigger role on kick returns like he has had but at least he will get a chance to have a hand in his final game as a Trojan.

- - -

So, what about C.J. Gable?

No player has been as much as an enigma as Gable has during his time at USC.

He had the hot hand before going out with an abdominal injury and he had a pretty good season in 2008 until he saw the bench after putting the ball on the turf against ucla and Penn St. At times his attitude has been questioned in the press but that is hard to really know. He made some statements in the past that probably put him in the doghouse but this season he has been completely off the radar.

Last season there were some rumblings that he might go pro but he stuck it out...

But with the season almost over the questions are now being asked...will he stay or will he go?

Gable is one of several draft-eligible Trojans underclassmen who must decide by Jan. 15 whether to go pro or return to school. Unlike many of the others, Gable has played only a bit role this season after being a major contributor a year ago.

Gable started all but one game last season and tied for the team lead with 10 touchdowns. This season the redshirt junior has no starts and just 21 carries as Joe McKnight and Allen Bradford have shared most of the workload.

"It’s been frustrating," Gable said Sunday after USC’s second practice in preparation for the Dec. 26 Emerald Bowl. "Anybody would be frustrated. … Why would you play if you don’t care whether you get in or not?

"I care because I want to play. But I can’t do anything about it but keep on doing what I’m doing, which is work hard and let everybody see what I can do."

Gable made quite an impression Sunday, when, according to USC coach Pete Carroll, "he was the best guy on the field." But being a good practice player — and a good soldier after complaining about playing time last season - hasn’t translated into a greater role during games.

We have heard how great players have performed in practice only to see them disappear when game time comes around so I am not taking Gables strong performance as nothing more than just a snapshot in time.

Personally, I think he goes pro. SC will still have a glut of running backs, four off the top of my head, and that is before LOI Day where SC is in the mix for a couple of more top RB's

Here is a little more for the DN...

After rushing for 617 yards on 107 carries with eight touchdowns last year, Gable has been buried behind Joe McKnight and Allen Bradford in the running back rotation during his redshirt junior season, causing him to contemplate whether he'll return to play for the Trojans in 2010 or explore his value in the NFL draft in April.

"(In the past) I've always been basing my decisions off anger, but now I'm thinking clearly," said Gable, who has seen action in 11 of 12 games, but has rushed for only 98 yards on 12 carries with no scores.

"The most important thing is graduating. I've learned that football isn't everything. There is life after football. It's been difficult, but I just get in a rhythm in practice and I forget that I'm not playing anymore. I don't talk about it unless somebody brings it up."

Gable needs three more classes to graduate, but intends to sit down and talk with coach Pete Carroll following the Dec. 26 Emerald Bowl against Boston College in San Francisco about his future prospects.

"Allen is coming back too, but it also depends on who they might bring in," Gable said. "The only thing I know I'll benefit from by coming back is that I'll graduate. But (this year) they were better than me. The best man won the position."

Gable's mature approach hasn't been lost on Carroll, especially following the Trojans' second practice in as many days since a 21-17 loss to Arizona on Dec. 5.

You know Carroll is going to try and get him stay...but he may be in the same as Mark Sanchez. He can take those three classes and be done next semester so his commitment in my eyes is fulfilled...he has no obligation to stay once he has his degree...

It should be interesting.

Here is a list of Trojans that will be playing their last home game at the Coliseum on Saturday.

OL Charles Brown
LB Luthur Brown
OL Jeff Byers (pictured above)
WR Preston Cavignac
K Jordan Congdon
LB Dan Deckas
DB Rob Erickson
LB Nick Garratt
FB Adam Goodman
WR Garrett Green
S Will Harris
DB Justin Hart
OL Nick Howell
TB Stafon Johnson
S Taylor Mays
TE Anthony McCoy
OL Garrett Nolan
P Billy O'Malley
OL Alex Parsons
DB Josh Pinkard
DL Averell Spicer
CB Kevin Thomas

The Senior Salute will take place eight minutes before kickoff. These 22 players will be honored for all their hard work and dedication to the USC football program. Thank you and fight on!

• Sitting in an enemy territory: USC sections at Autzen
• National coverage: ABC/ESPN2 map
• We fight on: Cool new song
• One month later: Stafon Johnson "fighting on"
• Recovery issues: Forcing fumbles but not getting them
• Dispatch from Howard Jones: Wednesday's practice report
• Wednesday's photo album, by Po-He Tseng

Two cheers for Notre Dame, courtesy of SC tight end Blake Ayles. Nice move, Blake. Also check out Deadspin's post on Stafon Johnson's Ironic T-Shirt!

• Rising up above: A closer look at Allen Bradford
• A little O-line love: Funny gifts from ESPN
• 'I will be back soon:' Stafon Johnson discharged from hospital
• Candid camera: Slipping and sliding
• Weekend itinerary: Schedule for the trip
• In Carroll's words: His gratitude to Coach Wooden
• Dispatch from Howard Jones: Wednesday's practice report
• Pictures from Wednesday's practice
• Wednesday's photo album, by Po-He Tseng

(I love how PeteCarrollTV goes to bars before the video ends.  Dammit.  Just dammit.)

For the Irish to win Saturday, they're going to have to put some pressure on Matt Barkley, both with large men chasing him and by putting points up on the board.  Everything you'll watch and read about Barkley leads you to believe he's not easily rattled.  The Tribune and the LA Times weigh in.

ESPN is giving the game wall-to-wall coverage, anchored by this Ivan Maisel piece.  If you have Insider, check out the Scouts, Inc. preview. (Also, ESPN, do we need to automatically start videos on every page?  What a great idea.)

From the South Bend Tribune, a fun little A to Z on the series (did anyone clear it with Orson?).  I barely made it past A, but it's solid.

While the Irish are getting some players back from injury, the Trojans are maximizing the bye week as well.  Ronald Johnson will make his season debut for the wide receiving corps, while Armond Armstead will be entering the already terrifying defensive line rotation after missing the first five games with a broken bone in his foot.

Stafon Johnson won't be playing on Saturday - although he is out of the hospital now - but that doesn't mean he won't be on the minds (and helmets) of his teammates: