Pro Day at Southern California had become quite a spectacle by the time Reggie Bush, Matt Leinart, et al. worked out for NFL scouts in 2005.
USC is special, Pro Day or draft day
The tryouts became so glitzy that rules had to be changed, and the Trojans had seven players go in the draft's first two rounds.
April 28, 2008 at 4:25PM
"We had everything except the Silver Bullet train pulling up and pouring beer for the guys," said USC coach Pete Carroll, the creator of the Trojan phenomenon since 2001. "It was showtime."
USC used to hold Pro Day in conjunction with Junior Day, a spring visit for recruits. The track stadium's bleachers would be filled with 300 or so Trojan wannabees, not to mention anyone who could squeeze in to watch about 150 NFL scouts, coaches and general managers put some of the country's finest pro prospects through a series of strength, agility and speed drills.
After 2005, the NCAA decided that USC, among other elite programs such as Notre Dame, enjoyed an unfair recruiting advantage when staging these events in front of thousands of people. So Pro Days no longer are open to recruits and the general public.
But that's not to say USC still doesn't draw an elite crowd. Earlier this month, executives at all top levels of every NFL team and more than 70 credentialed media members showed up for Pro Day. It was money well spent, because the Trojans ended up as the biggest winner of the 2008 NFL draft.
The Trojans had two players taken in the top nine picks and four first-rounders. No other school had more than two taken in the first round.
USC also had a school-record seven taken in the first two rounds and 10 overall, including quarterback John David Booty, who went to the Vikings in the fifth round. Virginia Tech had the second-highest number of draft picks, at eight. But the Hokies had only one first-rounder and three in the first two rounds. National champion Louisiana State had seven players taken, but No. 5 overall pick Glenn Dorsey was the only one to go in the top two rounds.
"Our Pro Day isn't quite the same magnitude," Carroll said. "But it's still a big deal."
Here are a few other observations from this year's draft:
Best pick: Dorsey, fifth overall, Chiefs
The Chiefs and Raiders have hated each other since the 1960s. But maybe K.C. can stomach the Silver and Black a little better now that Al Davis let the best run-stuffing, backfield-disrupting defensive tackle slip past the fourth pick.
Worst pick: Darren McFadden, fourth overall, Raiders
McFadden has the potential to be a good NFL player, but, my goodness, did Al even take a look at his interior defensive line last season? It was one of the most putrid in league history, and that was before Warren Sapp retired!
Worst trade: Panthers
Carolina gave Philadelphia picks in the second and fourth rounds this year and the first round next year to get Pittsburgh offensive tackle Jeff Otah with the 19th overall pick. And this was after the Panthers wasted the 13th pick on Oregon running back Jonathan Stewart. Unless Stewart is the next Adrian Peterson, which he's not, why not take the franchise tackle at No. 13 and find a running back later in the draft?
Best trade: Vikings
At the risk of sounding like a homer, getting a 26-year-old defensive end who doubles as the defending NFL sack champion (Jared Allen) for the 17th overall pick and two third-rounders was the smartest move of the past week. It also helped the Chiefs collect 12 prospects, including three starters, with their top three picks. But it also left them with a big hole that isn't easy to fill.
Most intriguing pick: Louisville QB Brian Brohm, Packers
At one point, Brohm was considered the likely No. 1 overall pick in 2008. The Packers got him in the second round, 56th overall. He seems to fit their offense perfectly.
So what happens if his development really takes off? Well, for one thing, it means even more stress for Aaron Rodgers.
Just to recap, Rodgers' first game is a Monday nighter at home against the Vikings and their reigning sack champion. Brett Favre's jersey will be retired, and a rookie with a household name will be one of the backup quarterbacks.
Best late-round pick: USC RB Chauncey Washington, Jaguars
The Trojans' leading rusher became the last of 10 USC players taken when he went to Jacksonville in the seventh round with the 213th overall pick. He scared a lot of teams, because he was academically ineligible for 2004 and 2005. But, hey, this is the NFL. This is the running back position. It ain't rocket science.
And besides, website petecarroll.com reports that Washington ran a 4.35 at his Pro Day.
Mark Craig • mcraig@startribune.com
