http://www.nfl.com/draft/story/9353513LOS ANGELES (April 2, 2006) -- It is said that the city of Los Angeles has always had a professional football franchise: the University of Southern California. Coached by former Jets and Patriots head man Pete Carroll, the Trojans have become the most dominant team in college football the past few years with two national titles in a row and falling just short of a third this past January.
That kind of program has some of the best players at every position every year. And the 2005 team was no different. Led by the last two Heisman trophy winners, Matt Leinart and Reggie Bush, these players are ready to hit the NFL scene. But before they will be drafted, about 150 representatives from every club were on campus for USC's Pro Day. It was an event that was an unbelievable production, one that was bigger than USC had ever put forth before. Just a few in attendance were Packers GM Ted Thompson, Rams coach Scott Linehan, Panthers coach John Fox, Texans coach Gary Kubiak, Giants VP of player evaluation Chris Mara, Eagles VP of player personnel Jason Licht, Vikings director of college scouting Scott Studwell, and the entire Titans coaching staff, including GM Floyd Reese.
The schedule ...
There were 19 draft-eligible players that took part in the workout. The following is a breakdown of their day:
The team representatives started arriving at 7:30 a.m. to an extremely well-organized event. From 8-10 they had a facility for anyone who wanted to study tapes on any of the players. From 10-10:15 they had a mandatory agent meeting. The agents are there, but they don't have access to the field. At 10:15 Carroll spent 30 minutes talking about players in a Q&A session. He took time out to praise his guys on an individual basis. One example was for fullback David Kirtman: "Kirtman came to us as a tailback. A very hard worker who does an excellent job on special teams, he has very good hands, and will block in pass protection. He does everything you want him to do every day of the week."
Players started getting measured for their height, weight, arm length and everything else at 10:45 in Norris Theater. Then at11:30 lunch was available. Following a good meal, the players started their jumps, weight lifting and running. They were broken down into two groups -- A-L and M-Z. That way guys like Reggie Bush would only have to wait about 10 minutes in between 40-yard dashes instead of 20 minutes. Then came the agility drills -- short shuttle and three-cone. Finally at 1 p.m. they started with individual position drills. These players were once again broken down in groups, this time five of them -- DB/LB, QB/WR/TE, RB, OL/DL and P. Punter Tom Malone got his own little workout.
There were about 300 kids and their parents are watching the Pro Day from the stands. If you have ever been to a Hollywood production, this might upstage it. Carroll said the only thing USC wanted to do is make this day better than it's ever been before.
The results …
SOUTHERN CAL: APRIL 2
They ran outdoors on AstroTurf, which was a fast surface. All 40-yard dash times were clocked electronically, which historically adds about .08 of a second to the actual time. For instance, if someone ran the 40 in 4.50 seconds, it really means he ran it in about 4.42 seconds.
Player Position Gil's comments
Darnell Bing S Bing (6-1¾, 225) ran his 40s in 4.63 and 4.53. Had a 10-foot-5 long jump, 38-inch vertical jump, and 21 lifts.
William Buchanon WR Buchanon (6-3, 191) ran his 40s twice in 4.38 and had a 40-inch vertical jump. His father, Willie, was a former first-round draft pick as a defensive end from San Diego State.
Reggie Bush RB Bush (5-11, 202) ran his 40 in 4.33. Had a 10-foot-9 long jump, 40½-inch vertical jump.
Dominique Byrd TE Byrd (6-2 7/8, 258) ran his 40s in 4.81 and 4.79. Had a 36½-inch vertical jump and 16 lifts.
Winston Justice OT Justice (6-6¼, 320) had a 34½-inch arm length, 39-inch vertical jump, and 38 lifts
David Kirtman FB Kirtman (5-11½, 232) ran his 40 in 5.15, but that was the only time he ran it and it was slow due to the effects of a previously pulled calf. had a 34½-inch vertical jump and 26 lifts.
Matt Leinart QB Leinart (6-5 5/8, 224) had a 9-foot-6 long jump and a 37-inch vertical jump.
Taitusi Lutui OT Lutui (6-3½, 330) ran his 40s in 5.42 and 5.33. Had a 8-foot-6 long jump, 32-inch vertical jump, and 26 lifts.
Tom Malone P Malone (5-11 1/8, 204) only did the bench press because he wanted to be fresh for the punting drills. He had 14 lifts.
Fred Matua G Matua (6-2 3/8, 301) ran his 40s in 5.06 and 5.19. For a guy over 300 pounds to run a 40-yard dash in a theoretical time under fiv seconds, then he made a lot of money today and will shoot up draft boards. He also had a 30-inch vertical and 26 lifts.
Frostee Rucker DE Rucker (6-3¼, 261) ran his 40s in 4.80 and 4.81. Had a 9-foot-7 long jump and a 35-inch vertical jump.
Scott Ware S Ware (6-1¼, 213) had a 36½-inch vertical jump. He did not run.
LenDale White RB White (6-0¾, 244) had 15 lifts, but didn't do any vertical or long jumps. He did not run.
Justin Wyatt CB Wyatt (5-9 1/8, 189) ran his 40s in 4.74 with a bad start but managed a 4.63 with a good start. Had a 10-foot-1 long jump, 40-inch vertical jump, and 14 lifts.
