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USC football was an NFL draft powerhouse in many different eras. The Trojans were an absolute NFL machine from the mid-1960s through the mid-1980s. The program fell on hard times in the 1990s but bounced back in the Pete Carroll era in the early 2000s. In the 2008 NFL draft, USC dominated the first round.
The fun started for USC with Sedrick Ellis at pick No. 7, going to the New Orleans Saints. Keith Rivers went at No. 9 to the Cincinnati Bengals, giving the Trojans two top-10 picks in the 2008 NFL draft.
Later, at pick No. 21, offensive lineman Sam Baker went to the Atlanta Falcons. He was the only one of the four first-round picks to play offense. The other three played defense. End Lawrence Jackson was that third defensive player. He went at No. 28 to the Seattle Seahawks before Pete Carroll went there.
USC teams weren't just good under Pete Carroll; they were physically imposing. It's not a surprise at all that the Trojans produced four players NFL teams felt were worthy of a first-round selection. Such was the dynamism and power of those Pete Carroll teams, which cranked out conference championships and Rose Bowl wins with noticeable regularity.
If USC stuffs a future first round with NFL draft picks, you will know the Trojans are back. Until then, the Men of Troy have to prove they can regain the standard the Carroll teams set two decades ago.
This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: USC football dominated first round of 2008 NFL draft
Continue reading...
The fun started for USC with Sedrick Ellis at pick No. 7, going to the New Orleans Saints. Keith Rivers went at No. 9 to the Cincinnati Bengals, giving the Trojans two top-10 picks in the 2008 NFL draft.
Later, at pick No. 21, offensive lineman Sam Baker went to the Atlanta Falcons. He was the only one of the four first-round picks to play offense. The other three played defense. End Lawrence Jackson was that third defensive player. He went at No. 28 to the Seattle Seahawks before Pete Carroll went there.
USC teams weren't just good under Pete Carroll; they were physically imposing. It's not a surprise at all that the Trojans produced four players NFL teams felt were worthy of a first-round selection. Such was the dynamism and power of those Pete Carroll teams, which cranked out conference championships and Rose Bowl wins with noticeable regularity.
If USC stuffs a future first round with NFL draft picks, you will know the Trojans are back. Until then, the Men of Troy have to prove they can regain the standard the Carroll teams set two decades ago.
This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: USC football dominated first round of 2008 NFL draft
Continue reading...
